Mimie Wood | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Wood in 1934 | |
| Born | Susan Selina Wood 4 December 1888 Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Died | 25 August 1979 (aged 90) Bowen Hospital, Crofton Downs, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Occupation(s) | Secretary, accountant and librarian |
| Years active | 1920–1962 |
| Employer | Royal Society Te Apārangi |
| Known for | One of the Royal Society Te Apārangi's 150 women in 150 words |
| Partner | Margaret Magill |
Susan Selina "Mimie" Wood MBE (4 December 1888 – 25 August 1979) was a New Zealand secretary, accountant, and librarian for the Royal Society of New Zealand. She was employed by the organisation from 1920 until her retirement in 1962. Coleridge Farr, president of the New Zealand Institute from 1929 to 1931, said of her that it would be more accurate to describe her as the institute's assistant president. She carried a large administrative load at the Royal Society and correctly predicted that upon her retirement, she would be replaced by five people; those five positions were established within three years of her departure.
From 1920 until shortly before her death, Wood lived in Eastbourne with her partner, Margaret Magill. There, they were part of a circle of lesbian friends at a time when it was highly unusual to be openly lesbian. They were both very active in the community and both were appointed members of the Order of the British Empire. Wood co-founded a number of community groups and usually served on committees, holding positions with those groups for decades. She was elected fellow of two societies.