March 10, 1848

On 10.Mar.1848, Katherine (Kate) Wilson Sheppard was born. Kate made HERstory as a trailblazing force behind New Zealand’s Women’s suffrage movement and the nation’s most renowned suffragist. Born in Liverpool, England, she emigrated to New Zealand in 1868 and wasted no time in driving change. A fearless activist, she became a key leader in the Women’s Christian Temperance Union New Zealand (WCTU NZ), where she used her role as National Superintendent for Franchise and Legislation to push for Women’s voting rights.

Kate Sheppard didn’t just advocate for suffrage—she made it impossible to ignore. She rallied support through powerful petitions, public meetings, and relentless press campaigns. As editor of The White Ribbon, New Zealand’s first Woman-operated newspaper, she amplified the fight for equality. Her sharp writing and compelling speeches fueled the movement, with pamphlets like Ten Reasons Why the Women of New Zealand Should Vote and Should Women Vote? making an undeniable case for change.

Her relentless efforts led to a game-changing moment in HERstory—a petition with 30,000 signatures that forced parliament to act. In 1893, New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant Women the right to vote, a victory that set a global precedent. Kate Sheppard didn’t just fight for suffrage—she redefined democracy.      YES, she did!