Today in History

1893 First woman mayor in British Empire elected

By becoming mayor of Onehunga, Auckland, Elizabeth Yates struck another blow for the rights of New Zealand women in local-body polls held the day after the first general election in which women could vote.

Elizabeth's husband, Captain Michael Yates, had been a member of the Onehunga Borough Council since 1885 and mayor from 1888 to 1892, when ill health forced his retirement. The following year Elizabeth, who was a strong supporter of the women's suffrage movement, accepted nomination for the office of mayor. After a 'spirited contest' she defeated her only opponent, local draper Frederick Court, by 13 votes to become the first 'lady mayor' in the British Empire.

Her victory was big news in New Zealand and the empire, and she received congratulations from Premier Richard Seddon and Queen Victoria. Not everyone was happy, though: four councillors and the town clerk resigned in protest; others resisted her every move, and council meetings were often unruly. A year later, on 28 November 1894, Yates was soundly defeated at the polls. She was voted onto the Onehunga Borough Council in September 1899, serving until April 1901. She died in 1918.

Image: Report in The Evening Post, 30 November 1893 (DNZB)