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Biographies of Female Tennis Players

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#1 · (Edited)
This thread will feature biographies of women who played tennis at a world class level. Note that the women will be added as we find information, so they will not appear in alphabetical order.

To find women listed in alphabetical order please go to the Blast Encyclopedia of Female Tennis Players at http://www.tennisforum.com/showthread.php?t=497938

The Blast Encyclopedia of Female Tennis Players lists women by both their maiden and married names. Under the main listing for a player a link will be provided back to this thread to a biography.
 
#4,810 · (Edited by Moderator)
BRADY, JENNIFER
United States
Born 12 April 1995 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvnia
Height: 5' 10" (1.78m)
Plays: Right-handed
[Active 2010-present]

2020 US Open Semifinalist.
2019 Australian Open semifinalist (with Alison Riske)

2017 was her first season inside the top 100 at #64. After a 2018 sump she returned to the top 100 at #56. 2020 was her best year yet. Brady pushed Naomi Osaka to 6-7 6-3 6-3 in the semis. Osaka went on to win the title. Her 1st WTA title at Lexington was icing on the cake.

Can she continue her upward trajectory?

Personal:

Coached by Roger Anderson ... Currently trains with the USTA in Boca Raton Mother's name is Elizabeth; father's name is Patrick; has twin sister, Jessica ... Started playing tennis at age 7 ... Favorite surface is clay ... Tennis idols growing up were Justine Henin and Lleyton Hewitt ... Also enjoys spending time outdoors, listening to music, and hanging with friends and family ... Favorite tournament is Indian Wells; favorite Grand Slam is Australian Open.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES
Winner (1): 2020 - Lexington.

ADDITIONAL
WTA 125K Series Titles - Singles: Finalist (1): 2019 - Indian Wells; Doubles: Finalist (1): 2018 - Indian Wells (w/King)

DOUBLES

Finalist: 2018 - 125/Indian Wells (w/King).

Year-End WTA Top 100 Rankings

2020: #24
2019: #56
2017: #67



Jennifer Brady | WTA Tennis
 
#4,812 · (Edited by Moderator)
DIYAS, ZARINA
Kazakhstan
Born 18 October 1993 in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Height: 5 ft 7 1⁄2 in (1.72m)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
[Active 2007-present]

Winner (1): 2017 - Tokyo [Japan Open] 7 ITF titles
Finalist (1): 2014 - Osaka.

Twice (2014 and 2015) to the 4R at Wimbledon.

Career high singles: #31 on 12 January 2015.

Diyas began tennis at the age of just six when introduced to the game by her mother. From the age of 5 to 12 she lived in the Czech Republic. Diyas currently lives in Kazakhstan but often trains in China, the home of her coach Alan Ma.

Enjoys playing chess, listening to music, and watching movies as some of her favorite hobbies. Diyas is fluent in Russian, Czech, and English.Her tennis idols are Justine Henin, Martina Hingis, and Serena Williams.

A wrist injury hindered her game and ranking in the 2nd half of 2016. Zarina took time off to recover from wrist surgery. She bounced back nicely in 2017 with 2 ITS titles and capturing the Japan Open-her biggest title to date.

Baseline aggression and a keen fighting spirit make her a capable member of the top 100. A lack of real weapons and movement suggest a ceiling of about 30 in the rankings.

Personal:

Coached by Roberto Antonini ... Mother is Aida Aubelova; sister is Alisa ... Started playing tennis at age 6 ... Mainly based in Guangzhou, China; lived in Czech Republic from age 5 to 12 ... Studying psychology at university via correspondence ... Hobbies include listening to music, playing chess, watching films, shopping and swimming ... Tennis idols growing up were Martina Hingis, Justine Henin and Serena Williams.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner (1): 2017 - Tokyo [Japan Open].

Finalist (1): 2014 - Osaka.

WTA Year-End Ranking


2019: #78
2018: #91
2017: #66
2016: #148 (out 2nd half of year due to wrist surgery)
2015: #52
2014: #34
2013: #163
2012: #265
2011: #223
2010: #173
2009: #206

At Wimbledon in 2017



Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zarina_Diyas
https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/315696/title/Zarina-DIYAS-0

[Thanks to Rollo for this information]
 
#4,813 · (Edited by Moderator)
RISKE, ALISON
United States
Born 03 July 1990 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Married Steven Amritraj on 22 July 2019 in Pittsburgh
Nickname: "Ally"
Height: 5' 9" (1.75m)
Plays: Righthanded with a two-handed backhand
[Active 2004-present]

2019 Wimbledon quarterfinalist

More solid than spectacular. Maximizing her talent, Ally has landed in the top 100 for the last 7 seasons. She really only hit the tour full time in 2009 as she took time to complete college. Since 2014 she has played in the main draw at all 4 majors.

2019 was her best year yet with 1 tour title at Den Bosch and 2 finals. At Wimbledon Ally upset world #1 Ash Barty. Serena Williams ended her Wimbledon run in the quarters 6-4 4-6 6-3.

Ally on her wedding day with husband Steven Amritraj



Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner (2): 2019 - 's-Hertogenbosch; 2014 - Tianjin.
Finalist (7): 2019 - Shenzhen, Wuhan; 2018 - Nürnberg; 2017 - Shenzhen; 2016 - Shenzhen, Nottingham, Tianjin.

Personal:

Coached by Billy Heiser ... Parents, Albert and Carol, are retired; sister is Sarah McGlamery (formerly coached her), brother is Daniel ... Started playing tennis at age 3 (siblings did and father started her too) ... Aggressive style of play; liked watching Monica Seles ... Earned tennis scholarship to Vanderbilt University in summer 2009; after good results and finding backing decided to play on WTA ... Enjoys writing (keeps a journal), reading and spending time with family and friends ... If hadn't been a tennis player, would have gone into medicine.

Career High Singles ranking: #18 on 04 November 2019
Career High Doubles ranking: #78 on 20 October 2014

Year-End WTA Rankings

2020: #26
2019: #18
2018: #63
2017: #70
2016: #41
2015: #97
2014: #45
2013: #57
2012: #179
2011: #135
2010: #118
2009: #222
2008: #895
2007: #627




Sources:

Alison Riske - Wikipedia
Alison Riske | Player Stats & More – WTA Official

[Thanks to Rollo for this information]
 
#4,814 · (Edited by Moderator)
LINETTE, MAGDA
Poland
Born 12 February 1992 in Poznan, Poland
[Active 2007-present]

Won a WTA title for the 2nd consecutive year at Hua Hin. She's now been in the WTA top 100 6 straight years.

Coached by Izo Zunic and Mark Gellard ... Parents are Tomasz and Beata; sister is Dagmara ... Started playing at age 6 ... Favorite shot is backhand; favorite surfaces are hard and grass ... Tennis idol growing up was Monica Seles ... Favorite tournament is Roland Garros ... Other interests include learning languages and reading books.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES
Winner (2): 2020 - Hua Hin; 2019 - Bronx; 2014 - 125/Ningbo.
Finalist (2): 2019 - Seoul; 2015 - Tokyo [Japan Open].

DOUBLES
Finalist (2): 2017 - Bogotá (w/Cepede Royg); 2016 - Hong Kong (w/Y.Xu); 2014 - Guangzhou (w/Cornet).

ADDITIONAL
Polish Fed Cup Team, 2011-12, 2016-20; Polish Olympic Team, 2016.

ADDITIONAL

Polish Fed Cup Team, 2011-12, 2016; Polish Olympic Team, 2016.

Year End WTA Top 100 Ranking

2020: #40
2019: #42
2018: #83
2017: #71
2016: #96
2015: #89



Magda Linette | WTA Official
Magda Linette
 
#4,815 · (Edited by Moderator)
VAN UYTVANCK, ALISON
Belgium
Born 26 March 1994 in Vilvoorde
Height: 5' 8" (1.73m)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
[Active 2010-present]

2015 French Open quarterfinalist

One of the few "gingers" (redheads) on the circuit, Alison is fast becoming as sort of indoor Queen of lower level events-as all 2018 all 3 of her tour titles have come indoors. Openly gay, her partner is fellow tennis player Greet Minnen.

The Belgian defended her Budapest title in 2019. Alison saved a stunning 6 match points in the quarters versus upcoming star Aryna Sablenka, going on to win her 3rd WTA title.

[WTA Profile]

Personal:

Currently without a coach ... Mother is Krista Laemers; father is René Van Uytvanck; older brother is Sean, twin brother is Brett ... Began playing at age 5 ... Baseliner whose favorite shot is serve; favorite surface is grass ... Speaks Dutch, English, French and some German ... Relaxes by going on computer or listening to music ... Favorite place to visit is Prague; favorite tournament is Brussels (was her first WTA event) ... Superstition is starting each tournament in same outfit ... People most admired are her coach and Kim Clijsters.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner (3): 2019-Budapest; 2018 - Budapest; 2017 - Québec City; 2013 - 125/Taipei.
11 ITS titles

DOUBLES

Winner (1): 2018 - Luxembourg (w/Minnen).

Finalist (1): 2015 - Antwerp (w/Mestach).

WTA Year-End Ranking

2020: #63
2019: #47
2018: #50 (career high #37 on 13 August 2018. Budapest title and 4R Wimbledon)
2017: #75 (Title at Quebec)
2016: #124 (dealing with injurues)
2015: #42 (French quaterfinalist)
2014: #80
2013: #129
2012: #220
2011: #297
2010: #829



With girlfriend Greet



Sources:
Alison Van Uytvanck | Officiële website [her official site]
Alison Van Uytvanck | WTA Official

Alison Van Uytvanck - Wikipedia
WTA love match: Alison Van Uytvanck and Greet Minnen | Women's Tennis Blog


Budapest F: (1) Van Uytvanck def (8) Vondrousova 16 75 62
 
#4,816 · (Edited by Moderator)
FLIPKENS, KIRSTEN
Belgium
Born 10 January 1986 in Geel, BelgiumHeight: 5' 5" (1.65m)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand-but often uses one handed slice)
Nickname: Flippers"
Trademarks: Prescription glasses and wearing a headband
[Active: 2001-present]

Surprise 2013 Wimbldon semifinalist.

2003 Wimbledon and US Open junior champion.

Personal:

Father's name is Marino; mother's name is Carly ... Began playing tennis at age 4 ... Speaks English, Dutch, French, German ... Enjoys seeing movies, surfing the internet and hanging out with friends.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner (1): 2012 - Québec City.

Finalist (3): 2018 - 's-Hertogenbosch; 2016 - Monterrey; 2013 - 's-Hertogenbosch.

DOUBLES

Winner (5): 2019 - Mallorca (w/Larsson); 2018 - Lugano (w/Mertens), Linz (w/Larsson); 2017 - 's-Hertogenbosch (w/Cibulkova); 2016- Seoul (w/Larsson).

Finalist (7): 2019 - Hobart (w/Larsson), Eastbourne (w/Mattek-Sands); 2018 - Budapest, Nürnberg (both w/Larsson), 's-Hertogenbosch (w/Bertens); 2017 - Nürnberg (w/Larsson), Luxembourg (w/Bouchard).


Top 100 WTA Rankings

2019: #95
2018: #48
2017: #76
2016: #63
2015: #93
2014: #46
2013: #20
2012: #54
2010: #77
2009: #81




Sources:

Kirsten Flipkens | Flipkens
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirsten_Flipkens
https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/310331/title/Kirsten-FLIPKENS-0
 
#4,817 · (Edited by Moderator)
CEPEDE ROYG, VERONICA (Verónica Cepede Royg)
Paraguay
Born 21 January 1992 in Asuncion
Height: 5' 4" (1.63m)
Plays Right-handed with two-handed backhand
[Active 2006-present]

#1 player from Paraguay.

2017 has been her best year to date-with a 4th round finish at the French and her first year ranked in the top 100. Her defensive style of play relies on high looped balls with depth. Not surprisingly her best results are on clay. Her ability to compete is strong, but it is doubtful if she can sustain a top 100 ranking for any length of time.

Highest career singles ranking: #73 on 07 August 2017
Highest career doubles ranking: #85 on 19 September 2016

Personal:

Coached by Ramon Delgado ... Father is Eduardo (owns gas station); mother is Edith (retired dentist); brother is Andres (economist); sister is Estefania (architect) ... Introduced to tennis at age 5 by siblings ... Aggressive baseliner; favorite shot is forehand ... Favorite tournament is Roland Garros; favorite surface is clay ... Speaks Spanish and English ... Tennis idols growing up were Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters ... Enjoys going to the cinema and spending time with family and friends ... If hadn't been a tennis player, would have become a nutritionist ... Long-term goal is to reach Top 20.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner: 2015: 125K Carlsbad. 14 ITF titles.

DOUBLES

Winner (1): 2016 - Rio de Janeiro (w/Irigoyen); 2015 - 125/Carlsbad (w/Ce).

Finalist (2): 2017 - Bogotá (w/Linette), Acapulco (w/Duque-Mariño).


WTA YEAR-End Rankings in Top 100:

2017: #77



Sources:


Veronica Cepede Royg | WTA Tennis


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verónica_Cepede_Royg


[Thanks to Rollo for this information]
 
#4,818 · (Edited by Moderator)
GIORGI, CAMILLA
Italy
[Active 2006-present]

2018 Wimbledon quarterfinalist.

Like many tennis pros she has an international background. Her dad Sergio is from Argentina. Her mother is Italian. Is is at least in part Jewish, as early in her career Giorgi was in negotiations to play for Israel.

Strikingly attractive enough to resemble a model, this hard hitting Italian goes for broke. Her shots are hard and flat. Camila refuses to retreat from the baseline, hitting balls on the rise even when facing a harder hitter. This makes her dangerous to higher ranking players, but also less predictable, as on an "off" day she can lose to anyone. She often saves match points-and just as often nerves fail her at the end and she often loses matches after having match points. Her omnipresent father Segio, who doubles as her coach, is easy to spot, with his hair resembling a mad scientist.

Her lone slam quarterfinal, the 2018 Wimbledon Championships, offers a perfect example of her playing style. Giorgi took the first set against Serena Williams. She was unable to sustain it however, and as errors mounted as she continued to go for lines. She eventually lost 3-6 6-3 6-4 in a ferocious display of hard hitting by both ladies.

Camila struggled to find form in 2019. Her best results were the finals at Washington and The Bronx Open. On the downside she lost more often than not in the opening round, ending the year 12-16.

Personal:

Coached by father, Sergio ... Mother's name is Claudia; brothers are Leandro and Amadeus; sister is Antonela ... Began playing tennis at age 5 at a local club (introduced to the sport by father) ... Favorite surface is hardcourts ... Favorite film director is Pedro Almodovar; favorite book is The Diary Of Anne Frank ... Loves the color pink ... Also enjoys boxing, soccer and MotoGP ... Most relaxing place to be is the Bahamas.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner (2): 2018 - Linz; 2015 - 's-Hertogenbosch.

Finalist (6): 2019 - Washington DC, Bronx; 2016 - Katowice; 2015 - Katowice; 2014 - Katowice, Linz.

2018 Wimbledon quaterfinalist

ADDITIONAL

Italian Fed Cup Team, 2014-16, 2019.

Year End Top 100 WTA Rankings


2019: #98
2018: #26 (#26 on 22 October a career high)
2017: #79
2016: #83
2015: #34
2014: #35
2013: #93
2012: #79

Giorgi at Eastbourne in 2018


With her father Sergio



Sources:

https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/314610/title/Camila-GIORGI-0



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camila_Giorgi

https://www.spaziotennis.com/wta/se...illiant-madness-cannot-stand-commonness/37732

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...giorgi-advances-to-2018-wimbledon-semi-finals


Sources:
 
#4,819 · (Edited by Moderator)
URE, "GWEN" (Gwendolen Helen Ure)
Australia
Born 11 January 1901 in Norwood, South Australia
Died in 1980
Married James McCarthy on 2 April 1927 in North Walkerville Church Hall, Adelaide
[Active circa 1920-25]

Gwen Ure was a pupil the Methodist Ladies’ College in Adelaide. She later attended the University of Adelaide, where she studied law, winning several prizes and the prestigious Stow scholarship. She later practised as a solicitor.

Below is a link to a photo in which Gwen Ure is featured. The photo is of the Adelaide University tennis team that took on a team from Sydney University in an intervarsity match in 1923.

Standing, left to right (Adelaide): Madeleine Hardy, Gwen Ure (captain), Joan Taplin, Lyndall Morris
Seated, left to right (Sydney): Gwen Jones, Louie Bickerton, Ella Hunt, P. Miller

https://digital.library.adelaide.edu...nis%201923.JPG


[Thanks to Newmark for this information]
 
#4,820 · (Edited by Moderator)
SNYDER, TARA
United States
Born 26 May 1977 in Wichita Kansas.
Married Brent Haygarth on 06 March 2009 in in Dallas, Texas
[Active in the late 1990's and early 2000's]

Reached world no. 33 in singles in November 1998.
Played singles in 16 Grand Slam tournaments between 1997 and 2004. Best was 3rd round of 1999 US Open beating Mirjana Lucic in the 2nd round in the year when Lucic was a Wimbledon semi finalist.

Married Brent Haygarth in Dallas 6th March 2009. Haygarth's mother is the South African tennis star of the early 1960's Renee Schuurman.



Sources:

Various WTA media guides and www.ancestry.co.uk

[Thanks to Rosamund for this information]
 
#4,822 · (Edited by Moderator)
PATTERSON, ETHEL (nee Ethel Ormé Manson Riggall)
Australia
Born in 1898 in Maffra, Victoria
Died 31 May 1985 in Toorak, Melbourne
Married Gerald Leighton Patterson on 3 April 1922 in Scots’ Church, Melbourne
[Active circa 1920-25]

Unlike her husband, Ethel (Riggall) Patterson appears not to have played much competitive lawn tennis. Among many other achievements on the lawn tennis court, Gerald Patterson, a businessman by profession, twice won the men’s singles title at Wimbledon (in 1919 and 1922).

[Thanks to Newmark for this information]
 
#4,823 · (Edited by Moderator)
BRITTEN-JONES, HILDA (nee Hilda Madeleine Fischer)
Australia
Born 31 August 1892 in Adelaide
Died 14 February 1965 in Adelaide
Married Edmund Britten-Jones (1883-1953) on 4 October 1915 in Bombay, India
[Active circa 1920-35]

Hilda was better known as a champion golfer than as a tennis player. Because her husband, Edmund, a distinguished physician, was knighted, she was known as Lady Hilda in later life.

From wikipedia: Hilda Britten-Jones was the South Australian Amateur Golf Champion between 1921 and 1929. Britten-Jones represented Australia in the 1936 Tasman Cup and she was the eight time Royal Adelaide Golf Club Associate Club Champion. She was the Royal Adelaide Golf Club Associate Club Captain in 1925 and from 1930 to 1932, Associate Club President from 1930 to 1950, and was awarded Associate Honorary Life Membership in 1952.

Britten-Jones was South Australian Ladies’ Golf Union President and a delegate to the Australian Ladies Golf Union between 1932 and 1935. She also played tennis for SA in 1913. Britten-Jones Drive in the Australian Capital Territory (Division of Holt) was named in her honour.

Hilda and her husband had 2 daughters.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Hilda_Madeline_Britten-Jones

[Thanks to Newmark for this information]
 
#4,825 · (Edited by Moderator)
VERMAAK, YVONNE
South Africa
Born 18 December 1956 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
Height: 5' 1 1⁄2" (1.56m)
Plays: Right-handed
[Active 1975-1990]

1983 Wimbledon semifinalist-defeating Virginia Wade in the quarterfinals.
1982 French doubles semi with Kathy Horvath.

Career High Singles: #20 on 28 March 1983

One of the smallest players to ever grace a tennis court, Vermaak had an improbable run to the semis at the 1983 Wimbledon championships.

Titles Won:

1977: Beckenham
1983: Palm Springs and Salt Lake City
1984: Salt Lake City

Finalist:

1978: San Antonio
1982: Ft. Myers Futures

Doubles Titles

1984: Indianapolis- w/C. MONTEIRO; Miami - w/P. MEDRADO
1983 Salt Lake City- w/C. MONTEIRO
1982 Perugia- w/K. HORVATH;

WTA Year-End Rankings

1990: #801
1989: #410
1988: #276
1987: #84
1986: #104
1985: #41
1984: #38
1983: #40
1982: #23
1981: #51
1980: #30


Yvonne settled in the US in the 1980s to become a teaching pro in Chicago (1987-1998), but resettled in South Africa in 1999.

A photo from 1982


Sources:

https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/the-herald-south-africa/20101026/281900179579483

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvonne_Vermaak

[Thanks to Rollo for this information]
 
#4,826 · (Edited by Moderator)
NEWTON, ELSA (nee Elsa Elinor Gallinders)
Australia
Born 13 October 1905 in Malvern, Victoria
Died 24 August 1980 in Toorak (a suburb of Malvern), Victoria
Married a Mr Newton (widowed by 1980)
[Active in the 1930s]

A member of the Glen Iris Club in Melbourne. Mrs Newtons tournament activity was limited to the Melbourne area, often in connection to her home club.

In 1933 she entered the doubles at the Australian Nationals with frequent doubles partner Helen Halford. Unsurprinsinly they lost in the first round.

[Thanks to Rollo for this information]
 
#4,827 · (Edited by Moderator)
BURY, LOUIE (Louie Florence Bury)
Australia
Born in 1895 in Briton, Victoria
Died in 1971 in Victoria
Married Robert Noel Boddington in 1923
[Active circa 1919-25]

Louie Bury notably won the women’s doubles title at the New South Wales Championships in 1921 with her fellow Victorian Marjorie Mountain. Robert Boddington was a top Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League.

[Thanks to Newmark for this information]
 
#4,828 · (Edited by Moderator)
CHANCELLOR, EILEEN
Australia
Born 8 June 1900 in Hobart , Tasmania
Died in in 1995 in Hobart, Tasmania
Married (1) Eric John Carl Stopp on 23 May 1927 in Woollahra, New South Wales; deceased
Married (2) Norman Alexander Jones in 1976 in Sandy Bay, Tasmania
[Active 1922-30]

Eileen Chancellor was also a gifted golfer. Sister of fellow tennis player Joyce Chancellor.

[Thanks to Newmark for this information]
 
#4,829 · (Edited by Moderator)
CHANCELLOR, "JOYCE" (Kathleen Joyce Chancellor)
Australia
Born 01 September 1903 in Hobart
Died 11 September 1957 in Hobart
Married Stanley Douglas Trethewey on 10 November 1927 in Saint Adrian’s Church, Fern Tree, Hobart
[Active circa 1922-35]

Popularly known as Joyce, this player was a stalwart of tennis in Tasmania for much of the 1920s and 1930s, and was notably runner-up in the women’s singles event at the Tasmanian Championships in 1922. Like her elder sister Kathleen, with whom she often played in women’s doubles events at tennis tournaments, Joyce was also a successful golfer. Joyce also took part in mixed doubles events with Stanley Trethewey before and after they were married

[Thanks to Newmark for this information]
 
#4,833 · (Edited by Moderator)
THOMAS, KATHLEEN (Kathleen Kyffin Thomas)
Australia
Born 7 April 1891 in Adelaide
Died 15 March 1973 in North Adelaide
[Active circa 1918-25]

Sister of fellow tennis player Geoffrey Kyffin Thomas.She herself was a minor player who accomplished much outside of tennis.

Kathleen later became a renowned community worker. Here is her entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography:

Kathleen Kyffin Thomas (1891-1973), community worker, was born on 7 February 1891 in Adelaide, sixth of seven children of South Australian-born parents (Sir) Robert Kyffin Thomas, newspaper proprietor, and his wife Amelia, née Bowen. Esther (Stella) Bowen was her cousin. Educated at Miss Martin's school, Kathleen worked as a governess and in 1908 studied English at the University of Adelaide—she later regretted not completing a degree—and played hockey. In 1909 she accompanied her parents to the Imperial Press Conference in London.

Inspired by Lady Galway at the inaugural meeting of the South Australian division of the British Red Cross Society on 14 August 1914, Miss Kyffin Thomas volunteered to work in the central stores depot, located in the Government House stables; she sorted clothing and packed comforts for soldiers overseas. Soon becoming Lady Galway's secretary for Red Cross, she was elected (1915) to the general committee, which she served as honorary assistant-secretary. In 1918 she was made honorary secretary of the Australian Red Cross Society, South Australian division. That year she was appointed O.B.E.

Following Lady Galway's departure in January 1919 and the return of sick and wounded servicemen, she worked more intensively; in 1920 she resigned the secretaryship for health reasons, but remained on the executive committee. In 1930 she represented South Australia at the British Empire Red Cross Conference in London.

Kyffin Thomas had been secretary (1916-21) of the newspaper branch of the Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship, which dispatched local newspapers, books, and magazines to soldiers in Australian and overseas hospitals. She was the league's honorary secretary from 1922 to 1947. A founding member (1935) of the Pioneers' Association of South Australia, she was on the executive (1935-36) of the Women's Centenary Council of South Australia.

During World War II Kyffin Thomas's experience proved invaluable. In December 1938 she had helped to establish the Red Cross's emergency service which trained women in non-combatant roles. Visiting far-flung Red Cross branches in South Australia and at Broken Hill, New South Wales, she recruited volunteers for instruction in first aid, home nursing and air-raid precautions. By October next year 10,000 women had joined the service in South Australia.

From April 1939 she organized the Red Cross transport service, which trained and allocated female drivers and mechanics. In uniform as divisional commandant (1941-51) of Red Cross women personnel, she led her well-trained, disciplined group of volunteers 'with a rod of iron—and was kind'. She gave radio talks on Red Cross activities for the Australian Broadcasting Commission and, as director of Red Cross hospital visiting (1941-47), supervised one hundred volunteers.

Definite, but co-operative and friendly, Kyffin Thomas inspired respect and affection. She was devoted to her family. In 1946 she was appointed (officer) to the Order of St John of Jerusalem. She chaired (1947-55) the Junior Red Cross Society, and presided (1951-53) over the Adelaide Lyceum Club. Awarded honorary life membership of the Red Cross, she became vice-president in 1955. After receiving the Red Cross's fifty years' service medal in 1964, she retired. She died on 15 March 1973 at the Helping Hand Centre, North Adelaide, and was cremated.

[Thanks to Newmark for this informaton]
 
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