OBE

Born

5 April 1870
South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Died

16 February 1938

Occupation

Community worker and Women's rights activist

Summary

Delia Russell, née Law, was active across a range of charitable organisations throughout her life. Educated at the Oberwyl School in Melbourne, she married Percy Joseph Russell, solicitor and municipal councillor in October 1893. Delia Russell's major interests were the Red Cross Society; she remained a member of the Victorian Council until her death in 1938. She founded and ran the St Kilda Red Cross kitchen during World War I, and worked on special diets for influenza patients. She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for her work in 1920. Her subsequent commitments included Victorian president of the Housewives' Association (1929-1930 - although she was expelled from this group in 1930 due to her anti-prohibition stance), vice-president of the Victorian Institute of Almoners, councillor of the Talbot Epileptic Colony, Clayton, an executive member of the National Council of Women, president of the Australian Temperance Association (which fought against prohibition), a justice of the peace and special magistrate of the Children's Court, Melbourne. She was president of the Women's Hospital committee from 1932-1934.

Sources used to compile this entry: Balmford, Peter, 'Russell, Percy Joseph (1861-1946)', in Australian Dictionary of Biography Online, Australian National University, 2006, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A110494b.htm; Biddington, Judith, 'Russell, Delia Constance (1870 - 1938)', in Australian Dictionary of Biography Online, Australian National University, 2006, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/AS10421b.htm.