Silvia Cartwright facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dame Silvia Cartwright
ONZ PCNZM DBE QSO DStJ
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| 18th Governor-General of New Zealand | |
| In office 4 April 2001 – 4 August 2006 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Helen Clark |
| Preceded by | Sir Michael Hardie Boys |
| Succeeded by | Sir Anand Satyanand |
| 3rd Chief District Court judge | |
| In office 1989–1993 |
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| Preceded by | Peter Trapski |
| Succeeded by | Ron Young |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Silvia Rose Poulter
7 November 1943 Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Spouse | |
| Alma mater | University of Otago |
Dame Silvia Rose Cartwright (born 7 November 1943) is a very important New Zealander. She was a top judge and then became the 18th Governor-General of New Zealand. This means she was the Queen's representative in New Zealand from 2001 to 2006. She was also the second woman to ever hold this special job!
Contents
Early Life and Education
Silvia Cartwright went to Otago Girls' High School. After that, she studied at the University of Otago. In 1967, she earned her law degree there.
Public Service Career
Becoming a Judge
Dame Silvia Cartwright made history in the legal world. In 1989, she became the first woman to be a Chief District Court Judge. Then, in 1993, she was the first woman to be appointed to the New Zealand High Court. These were big steps for women in law in New Zealand.
Important Legal Work
In 1988, Dame Silvia led an important investigation called the Cartwright Inquiry. This inquiry looked into issues about women's health at a hospital in Auckland.
She also worked with the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. This group helps make sure women are treated fairly around the world. Dame Silvia helped write a special agreement called the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. This agreement helps protect women's rights even more.
To celebrate her important work as a lawyer, the Auckland Women Lawyers' Association started a special series of talks in 2007. They are called the Dame Silvia Cartwright Lecture Series.
Serving as Governor-General
Dame Silvia Cartwright was the Governor-General of New Zealand from 4 April 2001 to 4 August 2006. She was followed by Anand Satyanand. For a short time between their terms, Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias was the acting Governor-General.
During her time as Governor-General, Dame Silvia spoke about important issues. For example, in 2002, she talked about a law that allowed parents to use "reasonable force" to discipline their children. She thought this law should be changed. Some groups disagreed with her, saying she was going too far for her role. But others, like a Green Party Member of Parliament, supported her comments.
Later in 2002, she also questioned if longer prison sentences would really stop people from committing crimes again. This was after new laws were passed that made sentences longer and made it harder for people to get out of prison early. Some politicians and groups criticized her for these comments. However, the Prime Minister at the time, Helen Clark, defended Dame Silvia. She said that the Governor-General's role in New Zealand was changing and was not exactly like the Queen's role in Britain.
On Waitangi Day in 2004, Dame Silvia gave a different idea about the meaning of a famous Māori phrase, "He iwi tahi tatou" (which means "We are one people"). This was after a politician had given a speech about race relations that caused a lot of discussion.
After the 2005 general election, a politician from the National Party said that Dame Silvia had not given his party a chance to form a government. He said he had lost respect for her. But Prime Minister Helen Clark said that Dame Silvia had followed a very fair process.
Work with Cambodia Tribunal
After her time as Governor-General, Dame Silvia was chosen to be an international judge for the Cambodia Tribunal. This court helps deal with serious crimes that happened in Cambodia.
Awards and Recognition
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Dame Silvia has received many special awards for her service. In 1989, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her work helping women.
She also received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal and the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal in 1993. In 2001, she became a Principal Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. She was also awarded the Queen's Service Order in 2006 when she left her role as Governor-General.
In 2022, Dame Silvia was given another high honour: she was appointed an additional Member of the Order of New Zealand. This was for all her services to New Zealand.
Dame Silvia is also an Honorary Member of The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation. She is also a fellow of the Hastings Center, which is a group in the United States that studies ethics in science and medicine.
Personal Life
In 1969, Silvia married a lawyer named Peter John Cartwright. He passed away on 17 April 2019.
Images for kids
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A carved panel showing the honours of Dame Silvia Cartwright, displayed at Government House in Wellington.
See also
In Spanish: Silvia Cartwright para niños
