Quick Facts
Biography
Mary Dorothy Batchelor, QSO (7 January 1927 – 12 March 2009) was a Labour Member of Parliament for the Avon electorate in Christchurch for 15 years from 1972 to 1987.
Biography
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1972–1975 | 38th | Avon | Labour | |
| 1975–1978 | 39th | Avon | Labour | |
| 1978–1981 | 40th | Avon | Labour | |
| 1981–1984 | 41st | Avon | Labour | |
| 1984–1987 | 42nd | Avon | Labour | |
Batchelor was divorced by the time she entered Parliament in 1972.
She also served on the Christchurch City Council for six years between 1971 and 1977 and was active with trade unions. She was awarded a QSO in 1987 for public service, a New Zealand 1990 Medal, and the Women's Suffrage Medal in 1993.
After Parliament, Batchelor owned a second house on Australia's Gold Coast, so that she could avoid the Christchurch winters and be near her daughter and granddaughter. She took up painting and was a member of the Royal Queensland Art Society.
Mary Batchelor died on 12 March 2009.
"She advocated firmly for equality of women in work, and for women generally, without being anti-male".
