Kate Sheppard

Several years after her father’s death, Kate’s family shifted to New Zealand.

At the age of 24, she got married to Walter Allen Sheppard, a wealthy general merchant on 21 July 1871.

Her husband was 12 years older to her and also a Councilor in Christchurch City during 1868. The couple was blessed with a son in 1880, who they named Douglas.

Kate Sheppard was born on March 10, 1847 in Liverpool, England, to Scottish couple Jemima Crawford Souter and Andrew Wilson Malcolm.

Though christened as Katherine Wilson Malcolm, she was known by the name ‘Kate’.

In 1869, Sheppard and her siblings immigrated with their mother to Christchurch, New Zealand.

Kate spent few early years of her life with her uncle who was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland as a result of which her religious inclinations began from a young age.

As a result of her membership of the Trinity Congregational Church, she was involved with temperance activities.

In 1885, she participated in the temperance movement by forming the Women’s Christian Temperance Union which gradually began promoting the issue of women’s suffrage. Her sister, Isabella May was also an active participant of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and continuous support for Kate

Kate Sheppard’s struggle for women’s rights was broadly focused on the equality in the political arena and social reforms. She took lead on this issue and began condemning a society that promotes differences based on race, creed, and gender.

Being a very good cyclist, she also laid emphasis on physical activities and training for women. Her effort towards bringing change in the conservative dress code for women was also exemplary.

To commemorate Sheppard’s contribution towards women’s rights, a memorial was raised in her honor in Christchurch.

Her residence, the Fendalton house in 83, Clyde Road, which saw numerous women Suffrage activities, is registered as a Category I heritage building by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and popularly known as the Kate Sheppard House.

A number of houses in schools of New Zealand have been named after her like Christchurch South Intermediate, Cashmere High School, Christchurch Girls' High School, and Rangiora High School.

Her image also appears on New Zealand’s ten dollar note.

To commemorate 100 years for New Zealand women’s right to vote, the Kate Sheppard Memorial was built on september 19, 1993.