An Early Woman Dentist

1901 – the year that Winifred Preedy was born – heralded a time of significant change both here in Australia and elsewhere in the world. At the conclusion of her schooling years at St. Peter’s Collegiate Girls’ School, she attended The University of Adelaide, graduating from there in 1927 with a Dental degree. In her own unique way Winifred Preedy epitomised the emerging professional woman during the early part of the twentieth century and in ultimately achieving her chosen academic goal, set a precedent for others to follow.

An Early Woman Dentist: The Life and Times of Winifred E. Preedy (1901-1989) has been written as a celebration of the life of an engaging and extraordinary woman. Winifred Preedy was a well-known dentist in Adelaide for 40 years, but she was also a lady of many talents and some very special gifts. Her optimism and active support for those causes she believed in, especially in the realm of advocacy for women, would be far-reaching. In consideration of the belief that the basis of caring about others stems from a strong ‘social conscience’, it is this characteristic, coupled with an innate kindness and a generosity of spirit, that prompted her to leave lasting contributions to the people and places she had held dear for all of her life. As a result, a great deal has been achieved and many have benefited, as many others will continue to benefit in the future. Where would we be without women like Winifred Preedy?