125 year anniversary of suffrage in New Zealand
On 19 September 1893, New Zealand passed the Electoral Reform Act 1893. As a result, 125 years ago today, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world in which all women had the right to vote in parliamentary elections.
Astonishing women led the way. Kate Sheppard was the leader of the suffrage movement that delivered a 30,000 person petition to parliament leading to the change. Her picture is featured on the New Zealand ten dollar note, and she is widely recognised as a significant change-maker.
Elizabeth McCombs was the first woman to be elected as a member of parliament in 1933; the first woman Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley took office in 1997; and New Zealand's current Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern is trailblazing for a future generation of women, taking office last year at the age of 37, the youngest head of government in New Zealand since 1853. She gave birth to her daughter this year, taking maternity leave from her role as Prime Minister for 6 weeks from June to August.
The picture below was taken in Wellington, New Zealand at the Women's March held in January 2017 protesting the inauguration of US president Donald Trump. It is a reminder that while much has been achieved since the days of Kate Sheppard, some of the issues raised remain unresolved.
In New Zealand we have horribly high levels of domestic violence, low levels of women represented on boards and executive teams, and a disappointingly strong showing in the recent #metoo investigations.
And so we continue. We try to do better. We each step up and make a difference in our own way. Large or small.
Within the ordinary sits the extraordinary. Each of the women, who just got on with it, has a story that can inspire us, to just get on with it too. - Jacinda Ardern
And we vote. Kate Sheppard had a reminder for us on that too.
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by Mandy from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, someguy123, neoxian, followbtcnews, and netuoso. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows. Please find us at the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
If you would like to delegate to the Minnow Support Project you can do so by clicking on the following links: 50SP, 100SP, 250SP, 500SP, 1000SP, 5000SP.
Be sure to leave at least 50SP undelegated on your account.
resteemed :)
Thanks @kiwiscanfly :-)
As a kiwi I'm very proud of this, upvoted :)
NZ leading the way since way back!
Another kiwi!! :-)
Congratulations @mandysimpson! You have completed the following achievement on the Steem blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
Click on the badge to view your Board of Honor.
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPCongratulations @mandysimpson! You received a personal award!
Click here to view your Board
Do not miss the last post from @steemitboard:
Vote for @Steemitboard as a witness and get one more award and increased upvotes!
Congratulations @mandysimpson! You received a personal award!
You can view your badges on your Steem Board and compare to others on the Steem Ranking
Do not miss the last post from @steemitboard:
Vote for @Steemitboard as a witness to get one more award and increased upvotes!