Gibson, Gladys (Ruth) (1901 - 1972)

During her career Ruth Gibson served on the University Public Examinations Board, the Technical Schools Curriculum Board and the Social Studies Committee. As well she was a foundation member and honorary treasurer of the Australian College of Education, a member of the foundation committee of the St Ann’s College and a president of the South Australian Women Graduates’ Committee. Over many years Gibson was a committee member or office-bearer in the National Council of Women of South Australia; the National Council of Women of Australia; the International Council of Women; the Royal Flying Doctor Service (SA Section); the Adelaide YWCA; The Adelaide College of Education; the Status of Women Commission; the Soroptimists’ Clubs; the SA University Women Graduates’ Association; the Australian Association United Nations; the Good Neighbour Council; St Ann’s Women’s University College; the Junior Red Cross; the Australian Broadcasting Commission; the Churchill Scholarships Foundation; and the National Fitness Council.

Events

1921 - 1941	Teacher with the Department of Education, South Australia
1937	Obtained BA from the University of Adelaide
1938	Delegate at the International Council of Women
1939 - 1941	Honorary secretary of the National Council of Women of Australia
1940	Obtained DipEd from the University of Adelaide
1941	Appointed inspector of girls schools
1942 - 1963	Member of the Public Examinations Board
1950 - 1954	President of the National Council of Women of South Australia
1952	Appointed inspector of secondary schools
1952 - 1961	Inspector of Secondary Schools, South Australia
1953	Selected by the Federal government as an official guest at the coronation
1953 - 1956	President of the National Council of Women of Australia
1 June 1953	Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire
1954	Delivered a paper, 'Education's Part in International Understanding' at the Australian and New Zealand Association of Institutes of Inspectors of Schools conference, held in Perth.
1954	Arranged and headed a South Australian women's welcome to Queen Elizabeth II
1956	Australian representative at the Status of Women Commission, Geneva
1957	Australian representative at the Status of Women Commission, New York
1957 - 1970	Vice-president of the International Council of Women
1958 - 1959	President Soroptimist Club, Adelaide
1960 - 1961	President of the South Australian University Women Graduates' Association
1960 - 1961	Chairman of the Co-ordinating Committee for the Soroptimist Clubs of Australia and New Zealand
1961	Retired from teaching
1963	Fellow of the Australian College of Education
1969	Senior vice-president of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, South Australia section
1970	Member of the Committee of Honor for the International Council of Women
13 June 1970	Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to the advancement of women
1974	A bronze sundial was erected in her memory at the Adelaide Festival Centre
1977	The Ruth Gibson memorial award establish to assist women to further their studies and careers

Membership

• Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific (SISWP)

Presided

• National Council of Women of Australia (1931 - )

  [1953 - 1956]

• National Council of Women of South Australia (1902 - )

  [1950 - 1954]

Secretary

• National Council of Women of Australia (1931 - )

  Honorary

  [1939 - 1941]

Book Sections

• Fletcher, Philippa L, 'Gibson, Gladys Ruth', in Ritchie, John (ed.), Australian Dictionary of Biography, vol. 14, Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Vic., pp. 268-269. [ Details... ]
• Fletcher, Philippa L, 'Ruth Gibson', in Radi, Heather (ed.), 200 Australian women, Women's Redress Press Inc, Broadway, NSW, 1988, pp. 213-214. [ Details... ]
• Smith, Erica, 'Remembered by Many', in Greater than their knowing : a glimpse of South Australian women 1836-1986, Wakefield Press, Netley, SA, 1986, pp. 71-72. [ Details... ]

See also

• Australian Dictionary of Biography Online, 2006, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au. [ Details... ]
• Healey, John (ed.), S.A.'s greats: the men and women of the North Terrace plaques, Historical Society of South Australia, Adelaide, 2001, 183 pp. [ Details... ]
• Legge, J S (ed.), Who's who in Australia, 1971, 20 edn, The Herald and Weekly Times, Melbourne, 1971, 1024 pp. [ Details... ]
• Radi, Heather (ed.), 200 Australian Women: A Redress Anthology, Women's Redress Press, Sydney, 1988, 258 pp. (Also available at http://www.200australianwomen.com/) [ Details... ]