Vonla McBride

Sara Vonla Adair McBride, (20 January 1921 – 2 August 2003) was a senior British naval officer who served as Director of the Women's Royal Naval Service from 1976 to 1979. She was sent to advise Haile Selassie and later in life served as Chair of the Civil Service Commissioners' Interview Panel from 1985 to 1991.

Early life and education McBride was born in Ballygarvey, County Antrim, on 20 January 1921. Her parents were Agnes and Andrew Stewart McBride. Her father was a farmer and miller. She was educated at Ballymena Academy, a grammar school in Ballymena, County Antrim. In time she moved to Gardenhurst School in Burnham on Sea, England, as a demonstration of her independence. McBride was sent to HMS Dauntless, the WRNS's training centre in Burghfield, to be trained as an officer.

McBride died in Downton, Wiltshire, England on 2 August 2003, aged 82.