Anna Elizabeth Jerome Spencer (16 November 1872 – 23 October 1955) was a notable New Zealand school principal, orchardist and community leader. She was born in

Napier Napier may refer to: People * Napier (surname), including a list of people with that name * Napier baronets, five baronetcies and lists of the title holders Given name * Napier Shaw (1854–1945), British meteorologist * Napier Waller (1893–19 ...

, New Zealand, in 1872. Spencer founded the New Zealand Federation of Women's Institutes in 1921, being inspired to do so after attending a craft exhibition in

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

in 1919. In the

1937 New Year Honours The 1937 New Year Honours were appointments by King George VI to Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom, various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the United Kingdom and British Empire. They were t ...

, Spencer was appointed an

Officer of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

, for social welfare services. In February 2021 a bronze statue of Spencer was unveiled in

References

1872 births 1955 deaths New Zealand schoolteachers New Zealand horticulturists People from Napier, New Zealand New Zealand orchardists New Zealand Officers of the Order of the British Empire {{NewZealand-bio-stub