Myrtle Hughes - BCom

In the 1940s, it was rare for a woman to have a career, let alone a tertiary qualification, but that didn't stop one of the Business School's oldest living alumni, Myrtle Hughes, from enjoying both.

Buoyed by her father's encouragement, Myrtle worked during the day and attended her Bachelor of Commerce classes at night until her graduation in 1942. After work, she would typically attend classes within the ClockTower from 6-9pm and make it home around 10:30pm.

There was very little time for homework during the week so her study had a significant impact on her family and community life.

"The prevailing attitude of the day was that women shouldn't be educated, as they would 'only get married'. That was something I had to battle against throughout my career."

Myrtle started working life at Farmers department store, where she worked for six years before moving into insurance. In 1951, she went to the United Kingdom.

For six months, Myrtle worked in London before travelling home via the United States and Canada. On her return to New Zealand, she worked for a firm of public accountants where she spent the remainder of her career, retiring in 1978.

Myrtle says she is amazed by the tremendous growth at The University of Auckland and has watched as recent building projects have taken place.

"Of course, as things get bigger, unfortunately we seem to lose touch with the individuals," she says. "Life today is so demanding and the pressures on families are so great - but I have survived and I am still here."