REMARKABLE CAREER

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 148, 20 December 1945, Page 12

REMARKABLE CAREER

DEATH OF DISTINGUISHED EDUCATIONIST

News has recently been received in New Zealand of the death in Vancouver of Miss Mary L. Bollert, president of the Pan-Pacific Women's Association, and the first dean of women of the University of British Columbia. After a distinguished scholastic career at Toronto University from which she graduated with honours in English and modern languages, Miss Bollert held numerous important positions in colleges' and universities both in Canada and the United' States. For some years she was a lecturer at the Teachers' College, Columbia University, and included in her work comprehensive public courses under the New York Board of Education. Later, she became professor of English and dean of women at Regina, Sask., and then held similar positions in the University of British Columbia. Her interest in social work and in women's organisations was international and comprehensive, her sound scholarship and charming personality enabling her to make ah outstanding contribution to women's affairs. Dean Bollert travelled widely in this phase of her work. She was a Canadian delegate of the International Federation of University Women at conferences in Paris (1924), Geneva (1929), and Edinburgh (1932), and was a guest sneaker at the International Congress of Women in Chicago (1933). In 1934 she was selected as a member of a party of 12 deans of women of North America to visit the Y.W.C.A. of Japan, and her special interest in Pacific affairs was continued in her valuable work at conferences of the Pan-Pacific Women's Association held at intervals at Honolulu and lastly at Vancouver (1937).

As president of this association. Dean Bollert intended to visit New Zealand in January, 1940, when the triennial conference was planned to be held in Wellington. However. . wartime conditions prevented the assembly of an international conference, and New Zealand women now regret the passing of a gracious leader whose work for education and international co-operation has been so remarkable.