Mary Fraser Dott (née McBean; 1874–1960) was a pioneering Scottish nurse and midwife, renowned for her significant contributions to the professionalization of midwifery and improvements in maternal and infant healthcare in Scotland during the early 20th century.
Born Mary McBean, she trained as a nurse at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary before qualifying as a midwife. Dott became a prominent advocate for the welfare and recognition of midwives, as well as for higher standards of care for mothers and babies.
Her most notable work involved her foundational role in the Scottish Midwives' Association. In 1916, when the association was established (later becoming the Scotland Branch of the Royal College of Midwives), Mary Fraser Dott served as its first Honorary Secretary. Through this position, she was instrumental in shaping the organization's early direction and advocating for legislative changes.
Dott played a crucial part in the implementation and subsequent improvements of the Midwives (Scotland) Act of 1915, which aimed to regulate the practice of midwifery and ensure qualified care throughout the country. Her tireless efforts contributed to raising the status of midwives, securing better working conditions, and establishing a robust framework for midwifery education and practice. Her legacy is marked by her profound impact on public health and the professional development of midwifery in Scotland.