Gertrude Ella Mead

Gertrude Ella Mead (31 December 1867 – 6 November 1919) was an Australian medical doctor and advocate for women and children. Mead was the third woman doctor registered in Western Australia. She was a founder of the Child protection society of Western Australia as well as an early advocate for homes for the aged and daycare centres.

Early life and education Gertrude Ella Mead was born on 31 December 1867 in Adelaide, the third child of Baptist minister Silas Mead and Ann Mead (née Staples). Her mother died when she was six, and she and her siblings spent time in the care of their aunt and uncle while their father returned in England. She was admitted to the University of Adelaide in 1882 "by special dispensation" of the Vice-Chancellor as she was under sixteen. and again in 1885 in third place in the State.

Mead was a member of the Karrakatta Club, the first women's club in Australia, and served as vice president from 1912 to 1914, as well as chairwoman of various programs. She gave talks on women's work and international issues, and Red Cross work. who began to advocate for women's rights at the university. Mead remained on the university's senate and education committee for the rest of her life. In 1909, she wrote in Dependent Children, "It is only within the last century that the civilised world has slowly awakened to a sense of its responsibility towards the children born of white parents who come under the heading of "unwanted"."

In 1912, Mead joined the committee of the Silver Chain Nursing League and proposed a scheme to build cottage homes for elderly people.

Death and legacy Mead returned to Adelaide in 1919 to visit her brother, a medical missionary in India who was on leave. She suffered a cerebral embolism and died on 6 November 1919. She is buried in the West Terrace Cemetery. Upon her death,The Bulletin newspaper called her "one of [Perth's] most useful citizens."

The Silver Chain Cottage Homes in Perth were opened in 1920, and in 1981 the only surviving home was renamed "Dr Gertrude Mead Cottage Home".