On 19 September 2023, we gathered at the suffrage memorial at Te Hā o Hine Place, Auckland to commemorate a day that marked a pivotal moment in the history of New Zealand and the world.
We remembered the trailblazing women who, in 1893, fought for and achieved the right to vote, making New Zealand the first self-governing nation to grant women the right to participate in the democratic process.
As we celebrated this historic milestone, we also reflected on the progress made since then and the work that remained. Suffrage Day was not only a day to honour the past but also a day to recommit ourselves to the principles of equality and justice.
We wore a white camellia, the flower worn by people supporting women's right to vote. I have a number of white camellias in my garden too because the flower is important to me, to women, and to our history as a city and as a nation.
In the 130 years since women gained the right to vote, we have seen remarkable advancements in gender equality. Women have risen to positions of leadership in politics, business, and various other fields.
We looked at some role models – women in history who have stood out for us. One was, Kate Sheppard herself, arguably the most prominent member of the women's suffrage movement in NZ, the editor of The White Ribbon, the first woman-operated newspaper in NZ, and whose portrait replaced that of Queen Elizabeth II on the front of the NZ ten-dollar note in 1991 and remained to this day.
Also, Elizabeth Yates, the first woman mayor in the whole British Empire, which in its time was the foremost global power and the largest empire in history, so a monumental achievement. Dame Catherine Tizard, Auckland City's first mayor, and NZ’s first woman governor-general– an amazing trailblazer in both those roles. Yet when we look at the history of Auckland, we have had 39 mayors and only two have been women. So yes, challenges persist.
Sadly, gender disparities in pay, representation, and opportunities still exist too. We believe it is our collective duty to address these issues head-on and ensure that the legacy of those early suffragettes continue to inspire us.
For the struggle for suffrage was not an isolated event; it was part of a broader movement for social justice and equality.
Suffrage Day is a reminder that the fight for equality is ongoing. It is a call to action for each and every one of us to be advocates for change. Let us work together to create a world where every person, regardless of their gender, race, or background, has an equal voice and equal opportunities.
As we celebrated the progress made over the past 130 years, we remembered that each of us play a part, for our actions and our collective actions, will continue to shape the future. Together, we can ensure that the ideals of suffrage and equality continue to shine brightly in both Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.
Desley Simpson, Auckland
Other speakers at the event:
· Welcome, President National Council of Women New Zealand (NCW), Auckland, Barbara Myer
· Councillor Desley Simpson, Deputy Mayor of Auckland
· Challen Wilson, great grand-daughter of Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia, Suffragist
· Life membership presentation to Jane Prichard
· Isabelle Lloydd winner of NCW’s speech competition winner: speaking about the Mandela quote: “Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice.”
· Joanna Maskell, Te Rōpū Wāhine Auckland Council’s Women’s Network
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Published: September 2023