wctu

Anna Stout was dedicated to the advancement of women, championing calls for equal political, legal, social and educational rights. She was particularly concerned for the education of Maori women.

Forty years after women in New Zealand received the right to vote, Elizabeth McCombs became the first female Member of Parliament.

Organised by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), these petitions were signed by a total of 9000 women. They contributed to the introduction of a Female Suffrage Bill, which received majority support in the House of Representatives but was defeated in the Legislative Council (the upper house).