Identity area
Type of entity
Person
Authorized form of name
MacArthur, Isabel
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
1916-1978
History
Isabel MacArthur, a dietician and a social worker, was born on June 29, 1916 in Winnipeg. She graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1937, obtaining a B.Sc from the School of Home Economics. Her intership was at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. After graduation, she worked as a hospital dietician in Brandon and Winnipeg. During the Second World War, she served as a messing officer in the Women's Division of the Royal Canadian Air Force in Canada and overseas. She received a Master's degree (1948) and a Doctorate of Education degree (1952) from Teachers College, Columbia University. In 1952, Isabel MacArthur became the Director of the University of Manitoba School of Home Economics and the President of the Canadian Dietetic Association. She held the position of Director of the University of Manitoba School of Home Economics until 1957. In 1958, she became a dietary consultant for the Manitoba Hospital Commission and, in 1959, joined the staff of the Manitoba Department of Health and Public Affairs. She began to encounter physical disabilities and became a member of the Canadian Paraplegic Association. To eliminate architectural barriers for disabled persons, she joined the Community Welfare Planning Council Committee. She helped to bring changes to the Elections Act to permit disabled persons to vote by mail. For her work on behalf of disabled persons, she received the Order of Canada by the Governor-General, Ronald Michener, in 1972. Her awards and honors include a merit award by the Canadian Paraplegic Association in 1969, an engraved Centennial Commemorative Medal and a bound gold-lettered Centennial Book of Remembrance received from the President of the Manitoba Historical Society in 1971, and a medal of the 10th Anniversary of the Order of Canada, 1967-1977 in 1977. She was awarded a lifetime membership to the Manitoba Home Economics Association and Manitoba Dietetic Associaiton. She was also a member of the American Dietetic Association, the Canadian and American Economics Associations, the University Women's Club, the Women's Club, and the Manitoba Council of Girl Guides. Isabel MacArthur died on December 24, 1978 in the Deer Lodge Hospital at the age of 62.