Kate Sheppard Memorial, Christchurch

Even though her face adorns the five-dollar note, this heroine of women's rights is largely forgotten today. Born in Islay, Scotland, in 1848, she emigrated to New Zealand with her family in 1869 and married a Christchurch businessman. Rebelling against women's role as merely mothers and producers of "fancy work", she and her sister Isobel, were attracted to the growing feminist movement, fighting for the rights of women and children and notably for franchise. She was instrumental in organizing the petitions and demonstrations, which led, ultimately, to women being granted the right to vote in 1893. Visit the Kate Sheppard Memorial, which is a dedication to this great lady.

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