In 1893 New Zealand became the first country in the world in which all women gained the right to vote in a general election.
The leading suffragist was Kate Sheppard who was a leading member in the Women's Christian Temperance Union and produced a national magazine called "The White Ribbon" where she was able to promote the ideas about women's rights. Women went round the country by horse to collect signatures and in 1891 a petition was presented to Parliament with 9000 signatures, but denied. Similarly in 1892, with 20,000 signatures. In 1893, more signatures had been collected, each page pasted to a a long roll of paper to become "the Monster Petition" and when presented to Parliament the electoral Act was passed, 18 against, 20 for giving all women the right to vote. Kate presented to Members of Parliament who supported Suffrage a white Camellia to wear in their buttonhole, and the dissidents a red Camellia. The white Camellia became a symbol for the suffrage movement.
The original petition is on public display at the National Library of New Zealand in Wellington as a scroll. Each day, it is unwound to reveal a different portion of the original signatures, ink spots and all. It can be viewed, and names searched, online as well. A truly original Collage!!
I was fascinated to be able to find my great, great grandmother's name on the petition...
My great great Grandmother's signature...Edith Jaggar.
This was the impetus to participate in the following exhibition:
“125 CELBRATE 125” - 125 NZ ARTISTS’ BOXED PRINT CELEBRATION COLLECTION
THIS PROJECT IS ORGANISED BY THE FRANKLIN PRINT GROUP
We seek 125 printmakers (male or female) from throughout NZ to contribute two A4-paper prints. These 2 prints will be made into two carefully collated boxed sets, to be displayed and archived as part of the 125 Suffrage Celebrations in NZ.
Imagery may link to the past and/or present. Consider how to celebrate the lives, roles, presence or influence of women, whether inspired by history, our national story, or your personal experiences or thinking.
The first box will be displayed in Pukekohe on 15 September as part of the Franklin Suffrage Celebration Day. This boxed set will likely be toured and showed at other venues, currently being arranged. The second boxed set will be gifted to the Auckland Museum, to be archived as part of their collection.
Printed imagery must be generated by a hand-made print process, but may also include a digital element
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My print for the exhibition...
The women's signatures were digitally reproduced.
The Camellias were printed from a woodblock, and 18 red crosses signifying the dissenters to the Act of Parliament, were printed from a linocut.
THIS PROJECT IS ORGANISED BY THE FRANKLIN PRINT GROUP
We seek 125 printmakers (male or female) from throughout NZ to contribute two A4-paper prints. These 2 prints will be made into two carefully collated boxed sets, to be displayed and archived as part of the 125 Suffrage Celebrations in NZ.
Imagery may link to the past and/or present. Consider how to celebrate the lives, roles, presence or influence of women, whether inspired by history, our national story, or your personal experiences or thinking.
The first box will be displayed in Pukekohe on 15 September as part of the Franklin Suffrage Celebration Day. This boxed set will likely be toured and showed at other venues, currently being arranged. The second boxed set will be gifted to the Auckland Museum, to be archived as part of their collection.
Printed imagery must be generated by a hand-made print process, but may also include a digital element
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My print for the exhibition...
The women's signatures were digitally reproduced.
The Camellias were printed from a woodblock, and 18 red crosses signifying the dissenters to the Act of Parliament, were printed from a linocut.
Below is a sculpture in Melbourne that I always admire as the tram trundles round the corner by the Parliament buildings... It depicts a "Monster" petition.
Women in Victoria won the right to vote in all elections in 1908, however this did not apply to Indigenous women who did not get the right to vote until 1962.
No such discrimination was made in New Zealand.
Women in Victoria won the right to vote in all elections in 1908, however this did not apply to Indigenous women who did not get the right to vote until 1962.
No such discrimination was made in New Zealand.
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