The Australian Women's Register

Summary

Jessie Mary Johnston, the daughter of Brigadier-General Walter John and Mary Euphemia (née Johnston) Clark, was born at St Kilda in 1889. Educated privately in Tasmania during World War I she became a member of the Red Cross Society (Tasmania). On 3 December 1923 Jessie Clark married her maternal cousin Dr William Johnston (later Sir) and they had two sons. From 1939-1952 Jessie Johnston was a member of the Red Cross Centenary Council, and from 1940-1942 a member of the Executive Committee of the Australian Imperial Forces Women’s Association. When Johnston was appointed Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Commissioner for War Services, she resigned from the presidency of the Alexandra Club but remained a member of the Committee. In 1951 Johnston became President of the YWCA of Australia, a post she held until 1957. On 1 January 1958 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for service to the community. Lady Jessie Johnston died in 1984, aged 94.

Events

• 2058

  Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire

• 1951 - 1957

  President of YWCA Australia

• 1914 - 1918

  Member of the Red Cross Society (Tasmania)

• 1939 - 1952

  Member of the Red Cross Centenary Council

• 1940 - 1942

  Member of the Executive Committee for the AIF Women’s Association

• 1941 - 1945

  YWCA Commissioner for War Services

• 2023

  Married Dr William Johnston (later Sir)

• 1939 - 1940

  President of the Alexandra Club (Melbourne)