by Leane Wheeler
On 19 September 1893, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world to give women the right to vote. Kate Sheppard was the most prominent leader of the suffragist movement and now graces our ten dollar note.
What would Kate think of the progress women have made in New Zealand in the last 125 years, I wonder? In 2005, a list was determined of New Zealand’s top 100 history makers – sadly only 15 on the list were women:
Kate Sheppard Ettie Rout
Jean Batten Frances Hodgkins
Janet Frame Mother Aubert
Dame Whinia Cooper Kate Edgar
Katherine Mansfield Dame Marie Clay
Helen Clark Aunt Daisy
Mabel Howard Georgina Beyer
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
Of course just over ten years later we could certainly add more names but here are another few that they may have missed:
What would Kate think of the progress women have made in New Zealand in the last 125 years, I wonder? In 2005, a list was determined of New Zealand’s top 100 history makers – sadly only 15 on the list were women:
Kate Sheppard Ettie Rout
Jean Batten Frances Hodgkins
Janet Frame Mother Aubert
Dame Whinia Cooper Kate Edgar
Katherine Mansfield Dame Marie Clay
Helen Clark Aunt Daisy
Mabel Howard Georgina Beyer
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
Of course just over ten years later we could certainly add more names but here are another few that they may have missed:
Elizabeth McCombs (1873-1935) First female Member of Parliament
Women had gained the right to stand for parliament in 1919 and Elizabeth stood unsuccessfully in 1928 and 1931. In 1933 her husband held the Lyttelton seat and when he died that year it forced a by-election, in which Elizabeth was elected with an overwhelming majority. In her time in parliament, Elizabeth tried to keep women’s issues at the forefront but had little opportunity to effect change, dying less than two years later. After her death, her son Terence won the Lyttelton seat, which he held for the next sixteen years.
Women had gained the right to stand for parliament in 1919 and Elizabeth stood unsuccessfully in 1928 and 1931. In 1933 her husband held the Lyttelton seat and when he died that year it forced a by-election, in which Elizabeth was elected with an overwhelming majority. In her time in parliament, Elizabeth tried to keep women’s issues at the forefront but had little opportunity to effect change, dying less than two years later. After her death, her son Terence won the Lyttelton seat, which he held for the next sixteen years.
Emily Siedeberg (1873-1968) First female medical graduate
Emily was born in Clyde after her parents had emigrated to New Zealand lured by gold mining. Encouraged by her father, Emily enrolled at the University of Otago Medical School in 1891, graduating in 1896. She worked as a locum for one month at Seacliff Lunatic Asylum, before undertaking postgraduate studies in obstetrics, gynaecology and children’s diseases in Dublin and Berlin. In 1898 she set up a private practice in Dunedin which she maintained for the next thirty years. Emily notably delivered a famous little baby – Janet Frame
Emily was born in Clyde after her parents had emigrated to New Zealand lured by gold mining. Encouraged by her father, Emily enrolled at the University of Otago Medical School in 1891, graduating in 1896. She worked as a locum for one month at Seacliff Lunatic Asylum, before undertaking postgraduate studies in obstetrics, gynaecology and children’s diseases in Dublin and Berlin. In 1898 she set up a private practice in Dunedin which she maintained for the next thirty years. Emily notably delivered a famous little baby – Janet Frame
Ethel Benjamin (1875-1943) First female Lawyer
In 1893 Ethel, born in Dunedin, enrolled at the University of Otago for an LLB degree after winning a university scholarship. The Female Law Practitioners Act was passed in 1896 and Ethel graduated and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court in 1897. Ethel opened and ran a successful private practice in Dunedin. Her legacy is The Ethel Benjamin Prize for women and is awarded to two female recipients annually.
Who would you add to the list?
In 1893 Ethel, born in Dunedin, enrolled at the University of Otago for an LLB degree after winning a university scholarship. The Female Law Practitioners Act was passed in 1896 and Ethel graduated and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court in 1897. Ethel opened and ran a successful private practice in Dunedin. Her legacy is The Ethel Benjamin Prize for women and is awarded to two female recipients annually.
Who would you add to the list?
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