MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 10 September 2003

New Brochure Details New Zealand Women’s Suffrage

A brochure highlighting the history and importance of New Zealand Women’s Suffrage has been produced by the Christchurch City Council in time for next week’s Suffrage Day celebrations.

“The brochure outlines New Zealand women’s struggle for the right to vote, highlighting the fact that both the leader of the women’s campaign, Kate Sheppard and the leader of the parliamentary campaign, Sir John Hall, were Canterbury people,” Lisa Hoffman, the Council’s Promotion Co-ordinator said.

When New Zealand women were granted the vote on 19 September 1893, they were the first in the world to be enfranchised.

“The brochure was produced after the Council was approached by a local women’s group, seeking help in promoting Suffrage Day,” Ms Hoffman said.

It is available from Christchurch City Libraries, Civic Offices, Tuam St and on the Council’s website www.ccc.govt.nz

The four main Suffrage Day events in Christchurch, next week will be:-

Suffrage Day Function – National Council of Women: Christchurch branch
Tuesday 16 September, 7.30pm
Venue: St Albans/Shirley Club, Hills Rd/Crosby St
Tickets $10 (ph 351 8364) – no door sales
7.30pm-NCW meeting. 8pm-guest speaker Dr Lesley McTurk, Christchurch city Council CEO

Women’s Suffrage Day 110 years Memorial - White Camellia Day
Friday 19 September, 12 noon-1.30pm
Venue: Kate Sheppard’s Memorial, Oxford Tce (opposite Rydges)
Feel free to bring a flower to celebrate this occasion.
Come and have your say.

Suffrage Day Celebrity Debate
“Men should no longer have the vote”
Friday 19 September, 7.30pm
Venue: St Andrew’s College Hall, Normans Rd
Tickets $20 from Ballantynes and YWCA (ph 379-7598)
Debate and celebrity-signed wine auction.
Proceeds to the Kate Sheppard Memorial Award Trust

Suffrage Day Fundraising Event
‘Women who make a difference share their stories’
Friday 19 September, 8pm
Venue: Christchurch Girls High School auditorium
Tickets $10 ( ph Ruth 384 4721 or Morrin 329 9789)
Five women, who make a difference, will talk about some their personal highlights over the recent past and share some of their dreams for the future

Details of these events are also available on the Council’s website and from Civic Offices, 163-173 Tuam St.

ENDS

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