Kate Sheppard 1848-1934

Born in Liverpool but spent much of her childhood in Nairn. Emigrated to New Zealand with her mother and brothers in 1868 after her father’s death.

A strong prohibitionist, she joined the New Zealand Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) when it was founded in 1885. As superintendant of the WCTU’s franchise department she led the campaign for women’s suffrage in New Zealand. In the face of strong opposition, displaying courage tenacity and tact, she addressed public meetings, edited a franchise page in a temperance paper, wrote articles and pamphlets, organised 3 nationwide petitions and lobbied politicians. On 19 Sept 1893 New Zealand became the first country in the world to give the parliamentry vote to women, both European and Maori.

She is remembered in New Zealand on Suffrage day – 19th Sept. Her face appears on the NZ $10 note and a memorial stands in Christchurch.

Photo: in public domain