McMillan was the family name of two American-born sisters who were social reformers in the United Kingdom. Together, they initiated the first school clinic for children, at Bow, in London, in 1908. They also founded children’s camps and nursery schools.
The sisters were born in Westchester, New York, but went to Inverness, Scotland, in 1865. They were educated at Inverness.
Rachel McMillan
(1859-1917) worked in a girls’ hostel in London and, later, as a teacher of hygiene in Kent. She became a leading supporter of voting rights for women.
Margaret McMillan
(1860-1931) was an influential educational and social reformer. While in Bradford, England, in the 1890’s, she launched a campaign to improve the health of children in schools. After her sister’s death, Margaret founded the Rachel McMillan Training College to train nurses and teachers. The college opened in 1930.
