Ethel Houston facts for kids

Ethel Houston OBE (19 April 1924 – 30 November 2017) was a very important Scottish woman. She was a solicitor, which is a type of lawyer. She also helped break secret codes during World War Two. Ethel Houston was the first woman to become a senior partner at a law firm in Scotland. She also worked with important groups like the Law Society and the Commission for Racial Equality.

Early Life and Learning

Ethel Houston was born in Albacete, Spain, in 1924. Her parents were missionaries, which means they traveled to share their religious beliefs. Her mother was also named Ethel. Ethel had two siblings, including an older brother named James.

In 1931, her family moved to Edinburgh, Scotland. Ethel went to James Gillespie's High School for girls. Later, she attended Skerry's College. Her father encouraged her to study very hard. She finished two years of school work in just three months to pass her university entrance exams.

In 1940, when she was only 16, Ethel started at the University of Edinburgh. Her older brother James also went there. She earned her first degree (an MA) in 1943. Then, she began studying to become a lawyer. But soon, she was called to serve in the military.

Her Amazing Career

Ethel Houston was one of the first people chosen to work at Bletchley Park. This was a secret place where British codebreakers worked during World War Two. She worked in a special area called Hut 6 during the last year of the war.

Under the command of Gordon Welchman, Ethel helped improve Alan Turing's Bombe machine. This machine was used to break the secret codes of the Enigma machine. She helped create lists of messages that were used to set up the Bombe.

After the war, Ethel returned to university. In 1947, she officially became a solicitor. This meant she could practice law.

In 1949, Ethel became a partner at the Scottish law firm Balfour and Manson. She was one of only four partners there. She made history by becoming the first woman to be a senior partner at a Scottish law firm.

In 1981, Ethel was given a special award called an OBE. This stands for Officer of the Order of the British Empire. In 2009, she became an honorary member of the Law Society.

Later Life and Legacy

Ethel Houston passed away in Edinburgh in 2017. She was 93 years old. She is remembered by her nieces and nephews. People described her as a "non-conformist," which means she liked to think for herself. She was also called "feisty" and a "fiercely independent thinker."