1. Flora Clift Stevenson was a British social reformer with a special interest in education for poor or neglected children, and in education for girls and equal university access for women.
16 Facts About Flora Stevenson
1. 2.
Flora Stevenson was one of the first women in the United Kingdom to be elected to a school board.
3.
Flora Clift Stevenson was born in Glasgow, the youngest daughter of Jane Stewart Shannan and James Stevenson FRSE, a merchant.
4.
The family moved to Jarrow in 1844 when James Flora Stevenson became partner in a chemical works.
5.
Louisa, Flora, Elisa Stevenson, an early suffragist, one of the founders of the Edinburgh National Society for Women's Suffrage, and sister Jane Stevenson who did not engage in these activities, were to spend the rest of their lives.
6.
Flora Stevenson's first educational project was an evening literacy class for "messenger girls" in her own home.
7.
Flora Stevenson was an active member of the Edinburgh Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor, and a committee member of the United Industrial Schools of Edinburgh, organising education in ragged schools for some of the most neglected children of the city.
8.
Flora Stevenson was one of the first two women to be elected, and she continued in this role for her whole life, eventually becoming chair of the board.
9.
Flora Stevenson was convenor of the attendance committee for many years and gave evidence on this subject to a select committee on education in Scotland in 1887.
10.
Flora Stevenson believed strongly in the value of industrial schools for "delinquent" children and her efforts led to the innovative day industrial school at St John's Hill on the fringes of Edinburgh's Old Town.
11.
Flora Stevenson was a strong supporter of good quality education for girls.
12.
Flora Stevenson disapproved of girls in Edinburgh schools spending five hours on needlework each week while the boys were having lessons, though she promoted the Edinburgh School of Cookery and Domestic Economy.
13.
Flora Stevenson was a vice-president of the Women's Free Trade Union while tariff reform was a contentious issue, and of the Women's Liberal Unionist Association.
14.
Flora Stevenson was involved with many other social projects and charities.
15.
Flora Stevenson was ill and an operation in St Andrews failed to help.
16.
Flora Stevenson died there in her hotel and was brought back to Edinburgh for a funeral service and burial in the Dean Cemetery on 30 September 1905, two days after her death.