Born: 1912 (Hong Kong)
Died: 1996 (Salisbury, Wiltshire)
Dame Muriel Diana Reader Harris DBE (11 October 1912, Hong Kong – 7 October 1996, Salisbury, Wiltshire) was an English educator, school principal, and public figure. She was a passionate advocate for women’s ordination in the Church of England and made significant contributions to education and social change throughout her life.
Early Life:
Muriel Diana, the eldest child of Montgomery Reader Harris and Frances Mabel, was born in Hong Kong but returned to England at the age of two. Unfortunately, she lost her mother to meningitis shortly after their return, and as her father remained in the Far East, she was raised by her aunt in London. Diana was educated at Francis Holland School for Girls in London and later attended Sherborne School for Girls in 1925. She showed great academic promise and graduated with an external first-class degree in English from the University of London in 1934.
Teaching and Public Work:
Upon completing her education, Reader Harris joined the teaching staff at Sherborne School for Girls, which was known as one of England’s top girls’ boarding schools at the time. Her career took an unexpected turn during the war when she and a group of Sherborne pupils were evacuated to Branksome Hall School in Toronto, Canada. This experience led to a long-lasting exchange relationship between the two schools. In 1943, she returned to England and joined the staff of the National Association of Girls’ Clubs.
In 1950, Reader Harris returned to Sherborne as headmistress, a position she held until her retirement in 1975. Under her leadership, Sherborne School flourished, and she established an atmosphere where students were encouraged to recognize their worth and contribute to the community. During her tenure, Reader Harris became involved in various external organizations, making significant contributions to education and social causes.
She served as the chair of the Association of Headmistresses from 1964 to 1966. Her leadership during this time coincided with the association’s response to the Plowden Report, a pivotal educational report in the United Kingdom. Reader Harris also held positions on the Dorset Education Committee, the Independent Television Authority, the councils of the National Youth Orchestra, and the Outward Bound Trust. She became the first female president of the Church Missionary Society, where she championed the 1980 Brandt Report on bridging the North-South divide. Additionally, she chaired Christian Aid from 1978 to 1983.
In 1975, Reader Harris joined the council of the Royal Society of Arts and later served as its chair from 1979 to 1981. She also held the position of governor at Godolphin School in Salisbury from 1975 to 1986. Throughout her career, Reader Harris was dedicated to improving the education system and advocating for social justice.
Role in Women’s History:
Diana Reader Harris made a significant impact on women’s history as a passionate advocate for the ordination of women in the Church of England. She preached sermons in many churches and actively supported the inclusion of women in leadership roles within the church. After retiring to Salisbury in 1983, she became a lay canon, further cementing her influence in the Anglican Church.
Awards:
– Dame Commander of The Order of the British Empire (DBE)
Dame Muriel Diana Reader Harris was a pioneering educator, an influential public figure, and a steadfast advocate for women’s rights. Her contributions to education, her work in various organizations, and her dedication to women’s ordination make her an important figure in women’s history and an inspiration to future generations.