Margaret Magill
Margaret Emma Magill (1888 – 6 November 1962) was a teacher and school principal from New Zealand. She was the first woman to serve as the head of the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) and served on the Eastbourne Borough Council, as well as serving as deputy mayor for multiple terms. She lived openly with her lesbian partner and was part of a lesbian circle which included her sister and the sister's partner as well. Biography Margaret Magill was born in 1888 and entered the Wellington Teachers' Training College in 1906, earning her teaching certificate in 1910. She began her career teaching in infant schools and later became the principal of Thorndon Normal School. During her time on the NZEI board, heated discussions over whether five-year-olds should be given education and whether normal schools should be closed were debated. Magill, who felt early education was extremely important, served on the executive of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Free Kindergarten Association for 12 years. In 1926, Magill was elected to serve on the Executive Board of the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI). She became president in 1933, and her election to that post marked the first time it had