Mary Grigg

Mary Victoria Cracroft Grigg, Lady Polson, (née Wilson; 18 August 1897 – 22 December 1971) was a New Zealand politician of the National Party.

Early life She was born as Mary Victoria Cracroft Wilson at Culverden in 1897. Her parents were John Wilson, a sheepfarmer, and Mildred Hall. Her paternal grandfather was John Cracroft Wilson, and her maternal grandfather was John Hall; both had been prominent MPs. Her mother was known for her involvement with public activities, particularly those involving women.

Grigg was educated for eight years at the Brondesbury School in London, where she became a head girl. During the First World War she served in the nursing division of the VAD (Voluntary Aid Division).

Political career

In 1941 Grigg was elected onto the Ashburton Hospital Board and became its first woman member. She was also president of the Ashburton Plunket Society, a member of the Red Cross executive and President of the Mount Somers Ladies' Guild. She was styled Lady Polson when her second husband was knighted in the 1951 Birthday Honours.

She was the fourth woman to be elected to Parliament after Elizabeth McCombs, Catherine Stewart and Mary Dreaver, and the first woman not from the Labour Party to be elected.

Lady Polson was the President of Victoria League Canterbury from 1965 to 1970.