Adelaide Sinclair
Encyclopedia
Adelaide Helen Grant Sinclair, OC
, OBE
(January 16, 1900 - November 20, 1982) was a Canadian
public servant. From 1957 to 1967, she was the deputy executive director for programs of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and one of the highest ranking women at the United Nations
.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Overton Macdonald, she attended Havergal College
and received a Bachelor of Arts
degree in economics from University College, University of Toronto
in 1922 and a Master of Arts
in 1925. She did post-graduate work at the London School of Economics
from 1926 to 1929 and the University of Berlin in 1929. She lectured in economics and political science at the University of Toronto.
During World War II
, she was the Director and temporary Commander
of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service
(WRCNS). She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire
in the New Year Honours 1945 for her "untiring zeal and outstanding ability, tact and judgement in organizing the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service into a most efficient and well-disciplined unit".
From 1946 to 1957, she was the executive assistant to the Deputy Minister of National Health and Welfare and Canadian representative to UNICEF. From 1957 until her retirement in 1967, she was the Deputy Director of UNICEF.
In 1967, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
. She received an honorary degree from the University of British Columbia
in 1968.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(January 16, 1900 - November 20, 1982) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
public servant. From 1957 to 1967, she was the deputy executive director for programs of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and one of the highest ranking women at the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Overton Macdonald, she attended Havergal College
Havergal College
Havergal College is an independent boarding and day school for girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Named for English hymn composer, author and humanitarian Frances Ridley Havergal, the school was founded in 1894 by a group of men led by The Honourable H...
and received a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in economics from University College, University of Toronto
University College, University of Toronto
University College is a constituent college of the University of Toronto, created in 1853 specifically as an institution of higher learning free of religious affiliation. It was the founding member of the university's modern collegiate system, and its secularism contrasted with contemporary...
in 1922 and a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in 1925. She did post-graduate work at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
from 1926 to 1929 and the University of Berlin in 1929. She lectured in economics and political science at the University of Toronto.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, she was the Director and temporary Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service
Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service
The Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service was an element of the Royal Canadian Navy that was active during the Second World War and post-war as part of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve until unification in 1968....
(WRCNS). She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in the New Year Honours 1945 for her "untiring zeal and outstanding ability, tact and judgement in organizing the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service into a most efficient and well-disciplined unit".
From 1946 to 1957, she was the executive assistant to the Deputy Minister of National Health and Welfare and Canadian representative to UNICEF. From 1957 until her retirement in 1967, she was the Deputy Director of UNICEF.
In 1967, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. She received an honorary degree from the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
in 1968.