I’ve been thinking about women and politics recently – for two reasons. One, Hillary Clinton is currently campaigning and two, New Zealand has elections this year. Our current prime minister is Helen Clark. Ms. Clark is New Zealand’s second female prime minister.
New Zealand’s ten-dollar note bears a picture of Kate Sheppard. To be honest, I don’t ever remember learning about her in history at school, and I actually liked history so I’m sure I didn’t forget. But Kate Sheppard is an important New Zealand figure and her efforts were far reaching.
Kate Sheppard was the driving force behind obtaining the vote for women in New Zealand. For a little country we’re very progressive. We were the first country in the world to award women the legal right to vote. Before 1893 only men over the age of 21 could vote.
Kate Sheppard was born in Liverpool, England and came to New Zealand in 1869 with her mother and other family members. When she was 24 years old she married Walter Allen Sheppard, a storekeeper in Christchurch.
In 1885 she joined the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. (An organisation of women formed to work towards moderation or restraint in things, especially drinking alcohol.) Kate became the leader of the fight to win the right for women to vote in elections. She organised petitions to Parliament asking for the right to vote for women and persuaded Sir John Hall, a leading member of Parliament, to support them. She wrote a pamphlet called Ten reasons why the women of New Zealand should vote to support the campaign. The suffrage bills were defeated in Parliament in 1888, 1891 and 1892, but despite this Kate continued the campaign for the vote. She used public meetings and letters to the newspapers to gather support, and her last petition to Parliament had nearly 32, 000 signatures on it.
Finally, on 19 September 1893 women were finally given the right to vote in elections. When the next general election was held ten weeks later, 65% of New Zealand women over 21 voted. New Zealand had become the first country in which all women had the right to vote.
Kate Sheppard later travelled overseas to England and America to help the campaigns there. She died in July 1934.
Source: Christchurch City Library
I think Kate Sheppard was an amazing woman. She believed women should take part in society and politics, rather than stay in the home and she believed that woman could not make any of the changes needed in society without first winning the right to vote.
So next time there’s an election, no matter how big or small, think of Kate Sheppard and her friends who helped women world-wide obtain the right to vote. Exercise your right. Vote and have your say.
March 4th, 2008 at 8:15 am · Link
In Canada we’ve only had one Female PM and she only lasted for about a month before something illegal happened. Can’t remember but she was ousted and replaced with Jean Chrietien.
Not a female since. Which blows, however I do like our curret Governor General of Canada. She is very cool. :D
I always excercise my right to vote. I didn’t once only because I was giving birth at the time. LOL!!
March 4th, 2008 at 11:57 am · Link
Amy – I think most of us vote, at least all my friends, work mates and family seem to. Besides, once you vote you have a definite right to complain about all the government decisions. LOL
I’m pretty sure giving birth is more important than voting!
March 4th, 2008 at 12:40 pm · Link
I don’t get the hissy fits some Americans throw over Hilary. When Angela Merkel stood for chancellor, there were debates about her politics and a few jokes about her hair, but no one said women should no be in politics or some such nonsense.
But then, gays can marry here, abortion is legal, and no one pries into the religion of his neighbour (except maybe in some Catholic villages in Bavaria that still don’t have electricity
) so we’re an immoral lot anyway. 
March 4th, 2008 at 1:04 pm · Link
LOL – an immoral lot, huh?
I’ve heard some of the horrid things the media are saying. Our Prime Minister doesn’t get a quarter of the stuff poor Hillary is getting thrown at her. Maybe there’s something we don’t get as non-Americans?
March 4th, 2008 at 1:38 pm · Link
This is really interesting. I’d never heard of Kate Sheppard. Thanks for sharing this bit of history with us. I think you’re right about her effecting women’s rights all over the world.
I’m American and I don’t understand all the Hillary fuss either. But then I guess, I’m the exception in that sense. Politics are beyond me anyway.
I just wanted to pop by and say Hello.
I hope you’re having a lovely week of sunshine and smiles.
March 4th, 2008 at 4:01 pm · Link
LOL! I haven’t heard alot of talk among friends about Hillary being a woman and running, just her views on things. I think its more just the media that need to sink their teeth into things and over analyze to death to feel useful.
The election has been a big topic around here this year, it will be my oldests first time voting.
March 4th, 2008 at 5:41 pm · Link
Thanks for the history on Kate Sheppard.
I”m an American and I can’t understand the fuss about Hillary Clinton. As far as I’m concerned she has as much right to run for president as any other candidate.
June 1st, 2008 at 2:22 am · Link
Hey I’m 17 and studying history at high school.
My teacher is Mr. Trevor Bentley (Pakeha/Maori relations historian) and we are doing an assignment on The womens Franchise and I’m loving it!
I like it better than maori/pakeha relations anyway…
Thanks for the info…
You’ll be part of my resources!
I don’t know anything about American politics so I can’t say anything about that stuff LOL
Peace out!
June 1st, 2008 at 4:38 pm · Link
Hi Elvisa – I’m glad you enjoyed my post. Good luck with your assignment.