Gladys Millard

Gladys Millard (born July 1891, Somerset, England died 15 October 1964, Victoria, Canada) was Provincial Secretary for the Canadian Girl Guides Association in the 1930s and 1940s. She was also President of the Headmistresses’ Association of Canada. She was a recipient of the Silver Fish Award, Girl Guiding's highest adult honour.

Gladys Millard
Gladys Millard from a 1937 newspaper
Born	July 1891 Somerset, England
Died	15 October 1964 Victoria, Canada
Occupation(s)	Girl Guide leader and Headmistress

Early life and education

Gladys Edna H. Millard was born in Kingsbury, Somerset to parents Eliza Ann (née Bailey) and William James Sydney Millard. She had a younger sister, Irene. Both her parents died before she was 18. She was adopted by Dr. Ethilda Budgett-Meakin Budgett Herford (1872-1956), one of the UK's first female psychiatrists.^[1]

Millard attended Sunny Hill Girls’ School, Bruton, England,^[2] and by 1911 she was living in Norton-sub-Hamdon working as a governess.^[3] She read biology at the University of London.

Work

When World War I interrupted her university studies,^[4] Millard substituted for an instructor in a boys’ school.^[5] Subsequently, she left the UK and moved to Canada, where she worked as a teacher and then school principal. She was interested in many educational movements and was known for her excellent musical training.^[6]

In 1920 she was teaching at Rupert Land Ladies’ College^[7] in Winnipeg. Established 19 years previously, the school offered higher education for girls. By 1921 she was Head of the Day School and from 1928 to 1937 she was the Principal.^[8]

When the school went through a period of financial hardship, Millard offered to have her salary cut “again”. This offer was declined, on the grounds that “she was already doing the work of two people and that the economies already realized were largely due to her unfailing interest and diligence in these matters.”^[9]

By the mid-1930s she was President of the Headmistresses’ Association of Canada.^[10]

Between 1937 and 1952 she was Principal of Havergal Ladies’ College in Lawrence Park, Toronto.^[11] In her latter years at Havergal she suffered from ill health and used a wheelchair.

Retirement

After retiring in 1952 she drove “across the continent” with Constance Ellis, the Vice-Principal of Havergal. Ellis was described as Millard's “helpmeet.”^[12][13] In the same year she moved to Victoria for her health,^[14] living with Ellis in Vancouver Street, Victoria, BC.^[15] By 1964 they were living in Oak Bay, Victoria.^[16]

Girl Guiding

In 1927, Millard was a Brown Owl for a Brownie Pack in Manitoba.^[17] In 1929 she was appointed District Commissioner of the newly created District 9 of Manitoba Girl Guides Association.^[18] In 1930 she was one of two leaders chosen by the Dominion Executive to represent Canada at the WAGGGS' 6th World Conference at Foxlease, New Forest, England.^[19] During this trip, she completed her training and was awarded the Eagle Owl diploma,^[20] signifying she was a certified trainer of Brown and Tawny Owls.^[21]

By 1936 she was the Provincial Secretary for the Canadian Girl Guides Association.^[22][23] The following year she received the Silver Fish Award, Girl Guiding's highest adult honour.^[24] In 1940 she reported on Rangers’ activity during the Canadian Girl Guide Council's annual meeting.^[25] The following year she was a Dominion Executive, representing Toronto.^[26] In 1942 she was elected Honorary Secretary of the Canadian Girl Guide Council.^[27]

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References

1. Peterson, Murray (2002). Balmoral Hall 1901-2001: An exceptional school celebrates its first century. Winnipeg: Balmoral Hall. p. 23. ISBN 0973095202.
2. "Miss E. G. Millard Brings New Laurels". The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario. 6 August 1937. p. 8.
3. The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911
4. Peterson, Murray (2002). Balmoral Hall 1901-2001: An exceptional school celebrates its first century. Winnipeg: Balmoral Hall. p. 23. ISBN 0973095202.
5. "Miss E. G. Millard Brings New Laurels". The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario. 6 August 1937. p. 8.
6. Peterson, Murray (2002). Balmoral Hall 1901-2001: An exceptional school celebrates its first century. Winnipeg: Balmoral Hall. p. 23. ISBN 0973095202.
7. "New Havergal Head". Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. 16 April 1937. p. 24.
8. "New Havergal Head". Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. 16 April 1937. p. 24.
9. Peterson, Murray (2002). Balmoral Hall 1901-2001: An exceptional school celebrates its first century. Winnipeg: Balmoral Hall. p. 36. ISBN 0973095202.
10. "Miss E. G. Millard Brings New Laurels". The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario. 6 August 1937. p. 8.
11. "Miss Gladys Millard". Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. 16 April 1937. p. 24.
12. Gossage, Carolyn (1977). A question of privilege: Canada's independent schools. Toronto: P Martin. pp. 156–7. ISBN 088778156X.
13. "A conference leader". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. 30 April 1953. p. 19.
14. Peterson, Murray (2002). Balmoral Hall 1901-2001: An exceptional school celebrates its first century. Winnipeg: Balmoral Hall. p. 23. ISBN 0973095202.
15. "A conference leader". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. 30 April 1953. p. 19.
16. "Personal Mention". Daily Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. 7 July 1964. p. 17.
17. "Thousand girls spend Saturday afternoon in picnicing at city park". Free Press Evening Bulletin. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 6 June 1927. p. 7.
18. "Mrs. Heppner Resigns Guide Leadership". The Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 2 November 1929. p. 47.
19. "Winnipeg Guide Association Annual Meeting Wednesday". The Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 1 February 1930. p. 43.
20. "Eagle Owl". The Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 30 August 1930. p. 11.
21. Degenhardt, Mary; Kirsch, Judith (2005). Girl Scout Collectors' Guide: A History of Uniforms, Insignia, Publications and Memorabilia. Texus, USA: Texas Tech University Press. p. 114. ISBN 0896725464.
22. "Girl Guide work growing in West". The Montreal Star. Montreal, Quebec. 11 May 1936. p. 4.
23. "Winnipeg Guide Association Annual Meeting Wednesday". The Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. 1 February 1930. p. 43.
24. "Personalia". The Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario. 7 October 1937. p. 11.
25. "Canadian Girl Guide Council Held Its 30th Annual Meeting". The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario. 21 May 1940. p. 8.
26. "Princess Alice Plans To Attend Conference". The Gazette. Montreal, Quebec. 24 April 1941. p. 5.
27. "Social And Personal". The Kingston Whig-Standard. Kingston, Ontario. 16 May 1942. p. 6.