Fenella Paton or Fenella Crombie (29 January 1901 – 21 October 1949) was a philanthropist and pioneer of women. She founded the first birth control clinic in Aberdeen.[1][2]
Fenella Paton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 January 1901 |
| Died | 21 October 1949 |
| Other names | Fenella Crombie |
| Spouse | John David Paton (Married 1923 - 1949) |
| Parent | Minna Wason (Mother) John W. Crombie (Father) |
| Relatives | Eugene Wason (Grandfather) |
Early life
editPaton was born in London to Minna Wason and John W. Crombie.[2]
She was born into a political family. Her father was a Liberal MP for Kincardineshire[1] and her grandfather was Liberal MP Eugene Wason.[2]
Paton married John David Paton, of Grandhome, in 1923.[2] They resided in Aberdeen and had two sons and four daughters.[2]
Aberdeen Women's Welfare Centre
editInspired by Marie Stopes work, Paton founded the Aberdeen Women's Welfare Centre in 1926.[3] It provided advice on birth control to local women.
Paton ran the clinic along with volunteers. Initially the team consisted of a family doctor, Dr Florence Malcolm, and a Nurse, Mrs Rae.[3] Although the clinic was not associated with Marie Stopes' organisation, Paton and Stopes corresponded and Stopes visited the clinic in 1933.[3][4] After this visit, Dr Kathleen Fraser was appointed.[3]
The clinic was funded by Paton, her mother, and friends.[2] In 1935, Aberdeen City Council started to partially fund the centre. The clinic was funded by Paton until 1948, when it was transferred to the National Health Service.[1]
Philanthropy
editPaton was a member of several charities and organisations in Aberdeen, including the YWCA.[2]
She was praised for her involvement in St Katherine's Community Club, which helped girls from working-class backgrounds by organising social and educational activities.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Fenella Paton | Mapping Memorials to Women in Scotland". womenofscotland.org.uk. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Ewan, Elizabeth, ed. (15 October 2018). The new biographical dictionary of Scottish women. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 978-1-4744-3629-8. OCLC 1057237368.
- ^ a b c d Baird, Dugald (January 1975). "Changing pattern of human reproduction in Scotland". Journal of Biosocial Science. 7 (1): 77–97. doi:10.1017/S0021932000010063. S2CID 73184311. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ Elliott, Kirsten (31 October 2014). "Birth Control Clinics in Scotland, 1926 – c.1939". Journal of Scottish Historical Studies. 34 (2): 199–217. doi:10.3366/jshs.2014.0120.