World Refugee Day is celebrated annually on 20 June, and this year was marked by a fascinating discovery made by dedicated archivists from the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, the UN Office in Geneva, and the UN Archives and Records Management Section (ARMS). These archivists uncovered the identity of a woman previously unnamed in a photograph from the 1951 Refugee Convention.
The mystery began when the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) noticed that a photograph caption from the 1951 Convention identified three men present but failed to name the only woman seated at the table. Determined to solve this puzzle, archives teams from UNHCR, the UN Office in Geneva, and ARMS collaborated to identify this woman.
Their investigation led them to Knud Larsen, the President of the Conference, who was seated in the middle of the photograph. In his convention speech, Larsen thanked a “Miss Kitchen”, the Deputy Executive Secretary seated on his right, for her role in keeping the conference on track. Further research revealed that her first name was Margaret.
Subsequent findings indicated that Margaret had married shortly after the 1951 Convention and changed her name to Margaret Bruce. This discovery opened a window into her life story for the archivists.
Margaret (Kitchen) Bruce was born in the United Kingdom and began her career at the United Nations Secretariat during the first UN General Assembly in London in 1946. She later moved to New York with the Organization and married a fellow UN staffer, William James Bruce. Margaret initially worked in the Human Rights Division and collaborated with Eleanor Roosevelt during the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Over her 32-year tenure at the UN, Margaret held various key roles, including Deputy Director of the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs. She eventually retired from the organization in 1977, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service to human rights and social development.
Through meticulous examination of documentary evidence by ARMS, Margaret’s identity was rediscovered, shining a light on her significant contributions to the United Nations. Following this breakthrough, the caption of the photograph from the 1951 Convention was updated to include Margaret’s name, ensuring that her role in shaping history is remembered and recognized.
The amended caption now reads in full: “On July 28 [1951], at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, twelve nations signed the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, drafted by the…”
This discovery not only highlights the importance of preserving historical records but also underscores the often-overlooked contributions of women in shaping global policies and initiatives. Margaret Bruce’s story serves as a reminder of the countless individuals who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to advance human rights and humanitarian efforts around the world.
As we commemorate World Refugee Day and reflect on the challenges faced by displaced populations globally, let us also celebrate the achievements of individuals like Margaret Bruce, whose dedication and commitment have made a lasting impact on the lives of refugees and vulnerable communities worldwide.
