Dame Miriam was brought up and educated in Auckland. Her parents were Gerald Wilfred Matthews, 1884-ca 1939 and Ruby Miriam Matthews (née Crawford), 1896-1948. She was married to Richard Dell, a distinguished scientist, and they had four daughters. In the late 1940s and throughout the 1950s, Dame Miriam combined the responsibilities of marriage and motherhood with a teaching career. During this period, she took the first steps toward fulltime public work, through membership of the Anglican Young Wives' Group in Lower Hutt. Miriam Dell was involved at all levels on the National Council of Women and the International Council of Women and was also involved in the various activities of the Decade for Women and International Women's Year, both in New Zealand and overseas. She held positions on many boards and commissions, including those associated with the environment and the Anglican Church. Dame Miriam was awarded the DBE in 1980. She was made a member of the Order of New Zealand on 6 February 1993. Died on 22 March 2022.
Dell, Miriam Patricia (Dame), 1924-2022
Mather, Winifred M :Photographs relating to Hutt Valley High School, and the New Zealan...
Date: 1921-1949
By: Mather, Winifred Margaret, 1898-1975; Dell, Miriam Patricia (Dame), 1924-2022
Reference: PAColl-4947
Description: Quantity: 30 b&w original photographic print(s). 2 album(s).
Mothers' Union :The Mothers' Union. The objects. The Mothers' Union prayer. I acknowled...
Date: 1948 - 1950
From: [Ephemera of quarto size relating to the Church of England (Anglican Church) in New Zealand and its congregations, parishes, churches and buildings]
By: Mothers' Union; Church Army Press; Dell, Miriam Patricia (Dame), 1924-2022
Reference: Eph-B-RELIGION-A-1950-01
Description: Pledge certificate, with an inset picture of the Virgin Mary and infant Christ. It includes the text of the Union's objects, its prayer, and contains an acknowledgement signed by the applicant for membership (in this case N K Hicks), the sponsoring member (in this case Miriam Dell), the admitting official (J Harold Watson), at St Jude's, Wellington. The nominee also acknowledges the privilege and duty of receiving Communion, and promises to read the Bible, observe Sundays, and to defend her home against various dangers. The border is a linked chain containing the names of cities in the world where the Mothers' Union has branches. Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Offset print on card, 278 x 208 mm. Provenance: Donated by Dame Miriam Dell, Whitby, in 2006. Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - MS-Group-0244. - Other material from the same provenance is at MS-Group-0244, and in Serials and the NZ Pacific Book Collection..
Photographs of the Student Christian Movement's conference in Java and some later events
Date: 1934-1939
From: Mather, Winifred M :Photographs relating to Hutt Valley High School, and the New Zealand Student Christian Movement
By: Mather, Winifred Margaret, 1898-1975; Dell, Miriam Patricia (Dame), 1924-2022
Reference: PA1-o-746
Description: Most photos to do with the World Student Christian Federation Leaders Conference, Java, 1934. All the others are of conferences in New Zealand between 1935 and 1939 Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s).
Ceramic vase celebrating the achievments of Dame Miriam Dell
Date: 1980s
From: Dell, Miriam Patricia (Dame), 1924-2022: Collection
By: Hume, Henrietta Crawford, 1915-1993
Reference: Objects-0938
Description: Ceramic object, possibly a vase, made by Henrietta Hume between 1983 and 1989. Lists the achievements of Dame Miriam Dell, including her Curricula Vitae, her involvement in Women's Affairs, and her investiture as Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Glazed ceramic orb, 450 mm (circumfrence) Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - MS-Group-0244 - Collection as a whole taken into Manuscripts; other transfers made to Ephemera, Photographic Archive and Published collections.. Processing information: Description updated as part of Curios and Objects survey: Previous reference: Curios-049-005. Previous title: Hume, Henrietta, 1915-1993 :[Ceramic vase(?) celebrating the achievments of Dame Miriam Dell. 1980s]
Matthews, Richard Ellis Ford, 1921-1995 :Photographs of his family, professional life a...
Date: ca 1936-ca 1980
By: Matthews, Richard Ellis Ford, 1921-1995
Reference: PAColl-5461
Description: Images cover Dr Matthews life from a teenager in the 1930s, to Cambridge and America in the 1940s where it seems that he met his wife. There are photographs taken while he was at Cambridge showing work that he was doing with plants. These include glasshouses, colleagues, and whole or parts of plants. Similar images occur later in the photographic record. Most of the slides record overseas trips -- Venesuela in 1973 and China in 1975. There are also a series of slides taken ca 1946 when he was in England at Cambridge. There are many photographs of his friends and family Material collected from Auckland by the Curator (March 1995) who did a rough boxing listing job on site. Arrangement: Negatives at F 77083 1/4 to F 77249 1/4, and 35mm 20606 to 20615. Transparencies at PA12-1360 to PA12-1377 Dr Richard Ellis Ford Matthews was a Microbiologist with an international reputation. After graduating from the University of Auckland in 1942 he joined the armed forces. After the war he went to Cambridge University where he obtained his PHD in 1948. During 1948-49 he did post doctoral work at Madison University USA. He married Lois Ann Bailey in 1950. He has since worked in the DSIR and universities here and overseas. Prior to his retirement in 1986 he was Professor of Microbiology at Auckland University specialising in Cell Biology. He was born in 1921 and died in 1995. Quantity: 317 b&w original photographic print(s). 7 colour original photographic print(s). 411 colour original transparency/ies. 176 b&w original negative(s) Ten are 35mm strips comprising 47 images.
Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association Conference :Photographs
Date: 1980s
Reference: PAColl-5317
Description: Exhibition of fans in the foyer of the National Museum building, Buckle Street. Dame Miriam Dell is the speaker Quantity: 10 colour original photographic print(s).
Photographs of family, professional life and overseas trips
Date: [ca 1936-1980]
From: Matthews, Richard Ellis Ford, 1921-1995 :Photographs of his family, professional life and overseas trips
Reference: PAColl-5461-1
Description: Images cover Dr Matthews life from a teenager in the 1930s, to Cambridge and America in the 1940s where it seems that he met his wife. There are photographs taken while he was at Cambridge showing work that he was doing with plants. These include glasshouses, colleagues, and whole or parts of plants. Similar images occur later in the photographic record. Most of the slides record overseas trips -- Venesuela in 1973 and China in 1975. There are also a series of slides taken ca 1946 when he was in England at Cambridge. There are many photographs of his friends and family Material collected from Auckland by the Curator (March 1995) who did a rough boxing listing job on site. Arrangement: Negatives at F 77083 1/4 to F 77249 1/4, and 35mm 20606 to 20615. Transparencies at PA12-1360 to PA12-1377 Quantity: 317 b&w original photographic print(s). 7 colour original photographic print(s).
Interview with Miriam Dell
Date: 16 Feb 1994
From: The Dames Oral History Project
By: Dell, Miriam Patricia (Dame), 1924-2022
Reference: OHInt-0046/17
Description: Miriam Dell outlines family background; childhood; effect of public life on expression of contentious issues; subjects taken at University of Auckland, interests; courtship and marriage to Richard Dell; details of husband's career; subjects taught as teacher at Otahuhu College; marriage and expectations of life; teaching during early motherhood; finances in early part of married life; enjoyment of family life; marriage as a partnership; family and work demands; gaining experience of public speaking while in London; learning management skills at a young wives group organised by the Saint James Anglican Church, Lower Hutt. Describes issues at first national conference attended of the National Council of Women; involved in major issues: sex education, teenagers; the effect of Mavis Tiller becoming National Council of Women president; evolution of organisation; establishing links with government; Council offices; learning curves of being involved with International Council of Women (ICW); working with representatives of United Nations; involvement of ongoing activity of ICW; visiting affiliated countries; delegations to international conferences. Discusses representing women on 1969 National Development Council; lead up to the setting up of the Ministry of Women's Affairs and own involvement; involvement in United Nations conferences for Decade of Women; work on sub-committee to deal with International Women's Year (New Zealand), conflict between some women's groups, public backlash and apathy; recalls submissions to the 1971 Committee for Inquiry into Equal Pay; goals in life; work of the 1993 Suffrage Trust; details development work on Museum of New Zealand Project Development Board; involvement in conservation issues; role in Anglican Church; feelings about public honours; current activities; the future. Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - Susan Fowke Venue - Ministry of Women's Affairs, Wellington Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3.15 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 1133. Search dates: 1994
Interview with Miriam Dell
Date: 10 May 1994
From: National Council of Women: Narratives from a century - oral history project
By: Dell, Miriam Patricia (Dame), 1924-2022
Reference: OHInt-0387/09
Description: Dame Miriam Dell has been interviewed already as part of the `Dames Project'. This interview concentrates on her work with the National Council of Women. Considers the Hutt Valley her `beginnings' - was a member of the Young Wives Group at St James' Church with Ruth Wylie. Gives details of young wives being asked to be delegates to NCW, Wellington. Reference to Hilda Birks of Catholic Womens League. Describes establishment of NCW Hutt Branch. Refers to Mazengarb Report. Recalls first submission on Town Planning for Fraser Park and gives details. Reference to Mrs Buchanan's appointment to the Executive. Mentions Karen Glasgow and Mavis Tiller. Other topics discussed include: involvement with setting up Standing Committees, Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilization and Abortion, Nuclear Power, Social Security, and Commission of Inquiry into equal pay (chaired by John McGrath). Explains Parliamentary Select Committee on Women's Rights (1974). Refers to Citizens and Aliens Act, Matrimonial Property Act, No Fault Divorce, Jury Service and Domestic Purposes Benefit. Gives details of Wellington (1975) United Women's Convention with Margaret Mead, as keynote speaker, with feminist aspirations. Also talks about: leading ICW Delegation to Nairobi (1985); being a member of New Zealand Delegation to Mexico City for International Women's Year Conference; member of New Zealand Delegation (1980) in Copenhagen, led by Colleen Dewe and battling with UN Bureaucacy regarding NGO's right to speak in the Plenary. Recalls Doreen Grant receiving assistance from Internal Affairs for Delegation to 1970 ICW Conference in Bangkok. Mentions becomming Vice Convenor of Interim Environmental Committee Standing Committee set up in Vienna. Was elected president of ICW in Nairobi. Recalls Daniel Moye. Describes Dr Dalat Shahi from Iran, previous President. Gives details of Princess Prem from Thailand. Details achievements of NCW. Venue - Wellington Other - see oral history librarian for access Interviewer(s) - Marion Redwood Venue - Ministry of Womens Affairs Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-1445. One undated black & white studio portrait of Dame Miriam Dell
Miriam Dell at graduation
Date: [ca May 1993 to July 1994]
From: The Dames Oral History Project
Reference: 35mm-12363
Description: Photographs taken by an unidentified photographer between circa May 1993 and July 1994 of an original print of Miriam Dell wearing a graduation cap and gown. Title supplied by Library. Arrangement: Delivered to the Library in an envelope labelled "Dame Miriam Dell", dated 16 February 1994. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s) 35mm strip containing three frames.. Transfers: Negative separated from prints at PAColl-10544 for preservation purposes. Corresponding print is number 27.. Processing information: Negative removed from original plastic sleeve within envelope and housed in an archival enclosure. Plastic Sleeve and envelope not retained.
Miriam Dell
Date: [ca May 1993 to July 1994]
From: The Dames Oral History Project
Reference: 35mm-12362
Description: Photographs taken by an unidentified photographer between circa May 1993 and July 1994 of an original print of Miriam Dell. Title supplied by Library. Arrangement: Delivered to the Library in an envelope labelled "Dame Miriam Dell", dated 16 February 1994. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s) 35mm strip containing three frames.. Transfers: Negative separated from prints at PAColl-10544 for preservation purposes. Corresponding print is number 26.. Processing information: Negative removed from original plastic sleeve within envelope and housed in an archival enclosure. Plastic Sleeve and envelope not retained.
Daphne Purves and family, Norma Restieaux, Dorothy Fraser, Dorothea Horsman, Miriam Del...
Date: [ca May 1993 to July 1994]
From: The Dames Oral History Project
Reference: 35mm-12350
Description: Photographs taken by unidentified photographer(s) between circa May 1993 and July 1994 of original prints of Daphne Purves and family, Norma Restieux, Dorothy Fraser, and Dorothea Horsman, Miriam Dell, and Vivienne Boyd. Show Daphne, Elizabeth, and Hilary Purves in 1941; Norma Restieux circa 1990; Dorothy Fraser circa 1990; and Dorothea Horsman, Miriam Dell, and Vivienne Boyd in 1986. Title supplied by Library. Arrangement: Delivered to the Library in an envelope labelled "Dunedin Dames, Purves, Horsman, Fraser, Restieaux". Quantity: 1 colour original negative(s) 35mm strip containing four frames.. Transfers: Negative separated from prints at PAColl-10544 for preservation purposes. Corresponding prints are numbers 13, 15, 16, and 19.. Processing information: Negative removed from original plastic sleeve within envelope and housed in an archival enclosure. Plastic Sleeve and envelope not retained.
The Dames oral history project, photographs of interviewees
Date: [ca May 1993 to July 1994]
From: The Dames Oral History Project
By: Freeman, Fred, active 1978; Woolf, Simon John, 1960-
Reference: PAColl-10544
Description: Photographs taken by unidentifed photographer(s) between circa May 1993 and July 1994 of original prints of interviewees from The Dames oral history project as supplementary material for the interviews. Show the interviewees at various times in their lives. Some photographs are annotated on the reverse or have an accompanying label. - PAColl-10544-01 shows Phyllis Guthardt circa 1993. - PAColl-10544-02 shows Jean Herbison in 1992. - PAColl-10544-03 shows Jean Herbison in 1938. - PAColl-10544-04 shows Dawn Lamb in 1993 (mislabelled as Rae Lamb). - PAColl-10544-05 shows Dawn Lamb circa 1990 (mislabelled as Rae Lamb). - PAColl-10544-06 shows Dawn Lamb circa 1993 (mislabelled as Rae Lamb). - PAColl-10544-07 shows Catherine Tizard in her wedding dress. - PAColl-10544-08 shows CatherineTizard. - PAColl-10544-09 shows Patricia Evison photographed by Simon Woolf. The print is mounted on backing card and captioned "Pat Evison, O.B.E.". - PAColl-10544-10 shows Patricia Evison. - PAColl-10544-11 shows Daphne Purves circa 1920. - PAColl-10544-12 shows Daphne Purves circa 1980. - PAColl-10544-13 shows Daphne, Elizabeth and Hilary Purves in 1941. - PAColl-10544-14 shows Norma Restieaux in 1960. - PAColl-10544-15 shows Norma Restieaux circa 1990. - PAColl-10544-16 shows Dorothy Fraser circa 1990. - PAColl-10544-17 shows Dorothy Fraser circa 1944. - PAColl-10544-18 shows Dorothea Horsman in 1940. - PAColl-10544-19 shows Dorothea Horsman, Miriam Dell, and Vivienne Boyd in 1986. - PAColl-10544-20 shows Patricia Bergquist in 1994. - PAColl-10544-21 shows Patricia Bergquist aged about 20. - PAColl-10544-22 shows Malvina Major aged 13 in 1956. - PAColl-10544-23 shows Malvina Major in 1994 photographed by Fred Freeman. - PAColl-10544-24 shows Kathleen Kennedy and Stella Wright (Casey) circa 1994. - PAColl-10544-25 shows Stella and Maurice Casey and their grandson Alec Dawson in 1993. - PAColl-10544-26 shows Miriam Dell. - PAColl-10544-27 shows Miriam Dell in a graduation cap and gown. - PAColl-10544-28 shows Joan Metge. - PAColl-10544-29 shows Joan Metge. - PAColl-10544-30 shows Dorothy Winstone. - PAColl-10544-31 shows Dorothy Winstone in her wedding dress. - PAColl-10544-32 shows Barbara and Harold Goodman. - PAColl-10544-33 shows Barbara Goodman, Kingi Ihaka and Sir Paul Reeves. - PAColl-10544-34 shows Thea Muldoon and family. - PAColl-10544-35 shows Thea Muldoon. - PAColl-10544-36 shows Augusta Wallace. - PAColl-10544-37 shows Augusta Wallace. Title supplied by Library. Arrangement: PAColl-10544-01 to 06 were received in an envelope labelled "Negs and photos, J. Herbison x2, R. Lamb x 3, P. Guthardt x1". PAColl-10544-07 to 10 were received in an envelope labelled "Pat Evison x2, Catherine Tizard x2 + negatives". PAColl-10544-11 to 19 were received in an envelope labelled "Dunedin Dames, Purves, Horsman, Fraser, Restieaux". PAColl-10544-20 to 21 were received in an envelope labelled "Patricia Bergquist, 2 photos", dated 12 July 1994. PAColl-10544-22 to 23 were received in an envelope labelled "Malvina Major photos/negs". PAColl-10544-24 to 25 were received in an envelope labelled "Photographs and negatives Dame Stella Casey". PAColl-10544-26 to 27 were received in an envelope labelled "Dame Miriam Dell", dated 16 February 1994. PAColl-10544-28 to 37 were received in an envelope labelled "Dames Photos, Barbara Goodman, Dorothy Winstone, Augusta Wallace, Thea Muldoon, Joan Metge". Quantity: 24 b&w original photographic print(s). 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). 12 colour original photographic print(s). Transfers: Negatives at 35mm-12345 to 12363 separated from prints for preservation purposes. Corresponding negatives can be found for prints: 02, 03, 04, and 06 (35mm-12345); 01 and 05 (35mm-12346); 08 (35mm-12347); 07 (35mm-12348); 12, 14, 15, and 17 (35mm-12349); 13, 15, 16, and 19 (35mm-12350); 18 (35mm-12351); 11 (35mm-12352); 20 and 21 (35mm-12353); 22 (35mm-12354); 23 (35mm-12355); 32 (35mm-12356); 29 and 33 (35mm-12357); 31 and 36 (35mm-12358); 28, 30, and 35 (35mm-12359); 34 and 37 (35mm-12360); 25 (35mm-12361); 26 (35mm-12362); and 27 (35mm-12363).. Processing information: Prints removed from envelopes and housed in archival enclosures. Envelopes not retained.
Interview with Dame Miriam Dell, tape one
Date: 3 March 1995
From: Simpson, Jane, 1958-: Collection
By: Dell, Miriam Patricia (Dame), 1924-2022
Reference: OHC-030331
Description: Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 audiocassette(s). Search dates: 03/03/1995 Processing information: Description created from item label/housing. Item has not been previewed as part of processing.
Interview indexes, notes, and other papers from interviewees D-L
Date: 1994-1999
From: Simpson, Jane, 1958-: Collection
By: de Bres, Joris, 1947-; Dell, Miriam Patricia (Dame), 1924-2022; Hinchcliff, John, active 1940-1997; Holborow, Leslie Charles, 1941-; Kaa, Hohi Ngapera Te Moana Keri, 1942-; Kelly, Catherine Vera, 1926-2017; Lewis, Joy Henrietta Astley, 1922-2011; Lewis, Owen, 1921-; Livesey, Christopher Hamilton, 1951-
Reference: OHA-9337
Description: Folder contains abstracts and other printed matter relating to interviews with Joris de Bres, Miriam Dell, Michael Dunlop, John Hinchcliff, Les Holborow, Keri Kaa, Catherine Kelly, Owen and Joy Lewis, Chris Livesey, and Brian Low. Other printed matter includes newspaper clippings, correspondence, and articles or other works written by the interviewees. Title supplied by Library. Arrangement: Originally donated in a folder labeled "SCM Interview Papers D-L". Quantity: 1 folder(s). Search dates: 1994 - 1999 Processing information: Original folder has not been retained.
Commission of Inquiry into Equal Pay - Correspondence re NCW involvement
Date: 1970
From: National Council of Women of New Zealand : Records
Reference: MS-Papers-1371-211
Description: Includes correspondence - inward and outward. Mrs Miriam Dell was a member of this commission Finding Aids: Inventory available.
Dell, Miriam Patricia (Dame), 1924-2022: Photographs relating to Dame Miriam Dell
Date: 1940s-1994
By: Dell, Miriam Patricia (Dame), 1924-2022
Reference: PA-Group-00904
Description: Photographs from the papers of, and relating to, Dame Miriam Dell, taken between circa 1940s and 1994 by a range of photographers. Includes photographs of her husband Richard Dell. Also includes a group portrait of the members of the Suffrage Centennial Trust 1992-1994 by an unidentified photographer and a group portrait of the International Council of Women conference, Bangkok, 1991. Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 7 colour original photographic print(s) colour original photographic print(s). 4 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Photographic prints Transfers: From Manuscripts & Archives - MS-Group-0244.
Richard Ellis Ford Matthews
Date: 1985-2000
From: Bollard, Edward George, 1920-2011: Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11376-26
Description: Biographical material on Matthews for obituaries and memoirs, includes funeral notes and speeches and letters of condolence Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Material about colleagues and peers
Date: 1964-2002
From: Bollard, Edward George, 1920-2011: Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11376-31
Description: The contents of this folder were removed from a ring binder and are in four parts; funeral order of services and biographical material relating to obituaries and speeches for many of Bollard's peers and colleagues, material relating to an essay by Bollard on John ("Torchy") Dunstan Atkinson for the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, correspondence regarding the donation of G H Cunningham material to the Alexander Turnbull Library, and correspondence mainly from Bollard to various people (not listed in name field) congratulating them on honours and awards. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Awards and honours
Date: 1964-1998
From: Bollard, Edward George, 1920-2011: Papers
Reference: MS-Papers-11376-35
Description: Correspondence and other supporting material for nominations for awards and honours for various people Quantity: 1 folder(s).