Alexander, Jessie (1876–1962)
Alexander, Jessie (1876–1962)
New Zealand deaconess and missionary. Born on June 2, 1876, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada; died on Mar 27, 1962, in Auckland, New Zealand; dau. of William Alexander (carpenter) and Mary (Munro) Alexander.
Immigrated to New Zealand with family as child; trained at Presbyterian Women's Training Institute in Dunedin, then was ordained deaconess (1913); assigned to Nuhaka, a remote village east of Wairoa; studied Maori language and carried out medical work in community; instrumental in establishment of hospital in Nuhaka; opened missionary work in Waikaremoana, where she was regarded as a healer; after retirement (mid-1930s), established hostels in Auckland for young Maori seeking jobs; was a founding member of United Maori Mission and taught Maori at New Zealand Bible Training Institute. MBE, 1947.