Fenella Paton or Fenella Crombie (29 January 1901 – 21 October 1949) was a

philanthropist Philanthropy is a form of altruism that consists of "private initiatives, for the Public good (economics), public good, focusing on quality of life". Philanthropy contrasts with business initiatives, which are private initiatives for private goo ...

and pioneer of women. She founded the first birth control clinic in

Aberdeen Aberdeen (; sco, Aiberdeen ; gd, Obar Dheathain ; la, Aberdonia) is a city in North East Scotland, and is the third most populous city in the country. Aberdeen is one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas (as Aberdeen City), and ...

Early life

Paton was born 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 ...

to Minna Wason and John W. Crombie. She was born into a political family. Her father was a

Liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

MP for

Kincardineshire Kincardineshire, also known as the Mearns (from the Scottish Gaelic meaning "the Stewartry"), is a historic county, registration county and lieutenancy area on the coast of northeast Scotland. It is bounded by Aberdeenshire on the north and w ...

and her grandfather was Liberal MP

Eugene Wason Eugene Wason (26 January 1846 – 19 April 1927) was a Scottish lawyer and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons in three periods between 1885 and 1918. Family Eugene Wason came from a Liberal family. His father, brother and son-in- ...

. Paton married John David Paton, of Grandhome, in 1923. They resided in Aberdeen and had two sons and four daughters.

Aberdeen Women's Welfare Centre

Inspired by

Marie Stopes Marie Charlotte Carmichael Stopes (15 October 1880 – 2 October 1958) was a British author, palaeobotanist and campaigner for eugenics and women's rights. She made significant contributions to plant palaeontology and coal classification, ...

work, Paton founded the Aberdeen Women's Welfare Centre in 1926. It provided advice on

birth control Birth control, also known as contraception, anticonception, and fertility control, is the use of methods or devices to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Birth control has been used since ancient times, but effective and safe methods of birth contr ...

to local women. Paton ran the clinic along with volunteers. Initially the team consisted of a family doctor, Dr Florence Malcolm, and a Nurse, Mrs Rae. Although the clinic was not associated with Marie Stopes' organisation, Paton and Stopes corresponded and Stopes visited the clinic in 1933. After this visit, Dr Kathleen Fraser was appointed. The clinic was funded by Paton, her mother, and friends. In 1935,

Aberdeen City Council gd, Comhairle Cathair Obar Dheathain , native_name_lang = , other_name = , image_skyline = Town House, Municipal Offices and Court Houses in Aberdeen.jpg , image_caption ...

started to partially fund the centre. The clinic was funded by Paton until 1948, when it was transferred to the

National Health Service The National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). Since 1948, they have been funded out of general taxation. There are three systems which are referred to using the " ...

Philanthropy

Paton was a member of several charities and organisations in Aberdeen, including the

YWCA The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) is a nonprofit organization with a focus on empowerment, leadership, and rights of women, young women, and girls in more than 100 countries. The World office is currently based in Geneva, Swi ...

. She was praised for her involvement in St Katherine's Community Club, which helped girls from working class backgrounds by organising social and educational activities.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Paton, Fenella 1901 births 1949 deaths People from Aberdeen Birth control Women's health