Gill, Zillah Smith (1859–1937)

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Gill, Zillah Smith (1859–1937)

New Zealand politician. Name variations: Zillah Smith Billany. Born Zillah Smith Billany, May 29, 1859, at Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England; died Aug 17, 1937, at Palmerston North, New Zealand; dau. of Neiles Boynton Billany (shipwright) and Charlotte Ann (Clevelin) Billany; m. Edward Keimig (book-keeper), 1880s (died 1888); m. Christopher John Gill (joiner), 1894 (died 1930); children: (2nd m.) 1 son.

Member of ambulance brigade nursing division in Hull, becoming nurse (1898), secretary of nursing division, then superintendent (1912–30); actively involved in labor movement and was elected Social Democratic Party candidate for Palmerston North Hospital and Charitable Aid Board (1915); 1st woman to gain seat, winning 2nd term (1917); elected to national executive of New Zealand Labor Party, and became the 1st woman to seek a seat on Palmerston North Borough Council (1918); founding member of Palmerston North branch of Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children (Plunkett Society) (1918).

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 3).

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