12 Facts About Kitty Lovell-Smith

Hilda Kate Lovell-Smith, generally known as Kitty Lovell-Smith, was a New Zealand businesswoman and community organiser.

Kitty Lovell-Smith was the third daughter of ten children born to Mary Jane Cumberworth, a former teacher, and her husband, William Sidney Smith, a printer.

Kitty Lovell-Smith attended Riccarton School for her primary school education and was home-schooled as a teenager.

Kitty Lovell-Smith joined the family printing business, Smith and Anthony Limited, when she was 17 years old.

Kitty Lovell-Smith began as a Linotype operator and was later the manager of the retail stationery section.

Kitty Lovell-Smith joined the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women of New Zealand and became secretary in 1918, a position she held until 1927, when she became dominion secretary.

On her return to New Zealand, Kitty Lovell-Smith joined the YWCA and was appointed general secretary of the Timaru branch in 1932.

Kitty Lovell-Smith joined the local women's unemployment committee, the Canterbury Women's Club, the United Nations Association of New Zealand and CORSO.

Kitty Lovell-Smith continued her work with the National Council of Women, joining the executive of the Christchurch branch and chairing a number of committees.

Kitty Lovell-Smith was president of the branch from 1951 to 1955, and in 1956 was appointed a dominion life member.

Kitty Lovell-Smith continued to attend National Council of Women meetings until over the age of 80.

Kitty Lovell-Smith died at her family home in Riccarton on 3 February 1973.