Mary Downie Stewart

Mary Downie Stewart OBE (13 November 1876 – 27 March 1957) was a notable New Zealand political hostess and welfare worker.

Her father was William Downie Stewart Sr, a lawyer and from 1879 a member of the House of Representatives.

She was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her support of soldiers and their family during World War I.

In 1916, Downie Stewart was one of thirty-three New Zealand women awarded the Médaille de la Reine Elisabeth (Queen Elisabeth Medal) for their efforts towards the Belgian Relief Fund during the war.

[2] Downie Stewart later supported her brother when he was elected to the House of Representatives, and was recognised as the person "to whom the country owes its new minister" when William was appointed to cabinet.