Mildred Riddelsdell

Dame Mildred Riddelsdell (1 December 1913 – 25 July 2006) was a British civil servant. Along with "Dame Evelyn Sharp at Housing and Dame Mary Smieton at Education, she was one of the first women to reach the pinnacle of the Civil Service". She graduated from Bedford College, London, now part of Royal Holloway, University of London.

Career Riddelsdell was Assistant Secretary, Ministry of National Insurance from 1945 to 1950, and Under-Secretary from 1950 to 1965, during which time, she was on loan to the United Nations from 1953 to 1956. In 1945, she had a crucial role in creating the contributory benefits system created by the incoming Labour government, that was to be central to the welfare state.

Riddelsdell was Secretary, of the National Incomes Commission from 1962-65.

Personal life She never married. She enjoyed reading, gardening and travel.

Later life She died on 25 July 2006, following a stroke at the Old Prebendal House nursing home in Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire.