Stella Isaacs, Marchioness of Reading, Baroness Swanborough (1894–1971,) née Stella Charnaud, was an English humanitarian. She is best remembered as the founder and chairperson of the Women’s Voluntary Service for Civil Defense (WVS,) now known as Royal Voluntary Service.
Born in Constantinople, now Istanbul, Turkey, Isaacs served as a Red Cross worker during World War I and then served as a secretary to the viceroy of India 1925–30. Appointed founding chair of WVS in 1938, she oversaw its growth into an organization of a million women by 1942.
Besides WVS, Isaacs also established Women’s Home Industries, a successful proponent of Britain’s craft and cultural traditions textiles. Named a governor of BBC in 1946, she served as its vice-chair 1947–51.
In 1958, Isaacs became the first woman to be appointed to the House of Lords in her own right.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Stella Isaacs, Marchioness of Reading
We are only activated by one desire—what we can do for the community and how we can help the nation strengthen itself.
—Stella Isaacs, Marchioness of Reading
The whole point of getting things done is knowing what to leave undone.
—Stella Isaacs, Marchioness of Reading
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