Margaret Brenda Bell QSM ( born Margaret Brenda Bell ; October 18, 1891 - August 10, 1979 ) is the first New Zealand woman amateur radio amateur [1] .
| Brenda Bell | |
|---|---|
| English Brenda bell | |
| Date of Birth | October 18, 1891 |
| Place of Birth | Sheg Station , Otago , New Zealand |
| Date of death | August 10, 1979 (87 years old) |
| A place of death | Dunedin , New Zealand |
| Citizenship |  New Zealand |
| Occupation | ham radio |
| Father | Alfred Dillon Bell |
| Mother | Gertrude Eliza Robinson |
| Awards and prizes |
|
Biography
She was born in Sheg Station in the east of the province of Otago (South Island) in 1891. Parents - Alfred Dillon Bell and Gertrude Eliza Robinson, was also brother Francis. Alfred was actively interested in wireless connections and created the first telephone line in New Zealand between two farms. Brenda inherited his father's interest in technology [1] [2] .
During World War I, she served as a cook in a field hospital in England and worked on the High Commission of New Zealand in London. Upon returning to her homeland, she took up work at a wireless broadcasting station, receiving it from her brother Frank, the owner of the farm. Brenda became the first female amateur radio operator in New Zealand, and in 1927 first established radio contact with South Africa. In 1931 she became a member of the Women's Institute of the country, and then a member of the executive authorities of the Dominion. In 1939, she led a group of 70 women who attended the world conference of women's organizations of the world [1] .
During World War II, Bell was a member of the Volunteer Relief Unit , worked as a cook and nurse in a field hospital in England [3] . After the war, she worked as a presenter at 4YA radio station in Dunedin [4] , in the 1950s she attended two world conferences of women's organizations of the world in Toronto and Edinburgh, gave lectures and radio programs that were broadcast in New Zealand, Europe and Australia. In 1960, she tried to run for election from the National Party from Dunedin-North County, but lost to Ethel Macmillen from the Labor Party . Bell’s attempt in Waitaki County also ended in failure. [1]
Brenda Bell passed away on August 10, 1979. Shortly before her death, she was awarded the Medal of Honor of the Queen for services to society [1] .
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Bell, Francis Wirgman Dillon and Bell, Margaret Brenda . teara.govt.nz . Date of treatment April 28, 2018.
- ↑ Frank and Brenda Bell | The SWLing Post ( unopened ) ? . swling.com . Date of treatment April 28, 2018.
- ↑ Taonga, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Margaret Brenda Bell . teara.govt.nz . Date of treatment April 28, 2018.
- ↑ First trans-global radio transmission to London | NZ History, New Zealand history online . nzhistory.govt.nz . Date of treatment April 28, 2018.