Edith Tennent

Edith Penelope Tennent (25 July 1882 – 7 June 1946) was a New Zealand nurse and hospital matron.

W J and K J Tennent and children, Timaru, New Zealand, February 1894. Pictured (left to right): Kenard, Kathleen (holding Sybil), Hobart, Edith, William (holding Ida), and Osward

Early life and education Tennent was born in Timaru, New Zealand, to William James Tennent and his wife Katherine Jane Kestervan. Her father was the secretary of the Timaru Harbour Board.

Career On graduating, Tennent became a nursing sister at Wellington Hospital, and was appointed Assistant Matron in 1920. During her tenure, she encouraged nursing staff to undertake postgraduate studies in specialised fields, and to enrol in university courses. In the 1937 Coronation Honours, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to nursing.

During World War II Tennent was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the New Zealand Red Cross Voluntary Aids and travelled throughout the country organising and training volunteers, advising on preparations for the establishment of emergency hospitals, and recruiting trained nurses to the organisation.

In 1942 she resigned due to ill health and died in Lower Hutt on 7 June 1946.