On 19 September 1893, 126 years ago today, women in New Zealand gained the right to vote, thanks to the efforts of Kate Sheppard and her friends. The Christchurch house in which she lived has been bought by the government to be ‘a public educational space focusing on New Zealand women and social change.’
It was in this house that a petition signed by 25,520 women was pasted together to form a roll of paper more than 270m long which was presented to parliament by the suffragists.
Heather, Adey Rose and Caroline will be in their 30s by 1893. Hmm, maybe these feisty girls from Applecross and Combe will be out there with their placards in, shall we say book 5…..?
I certainly hope so!