Letter from Mrs Kate Sheppard to Mrs Amey Daldy, 11 March 1904

documentary heritage

In the wake of Captain William Crush Daldy's death, Sheppard writes to remind Mrs Daldy of the significance of her assistance in the work of the National Council of Women - "The Captain would highly approve—he always urged you on." - She goes on to muse of her hope that women will stand in the sight of the law as equal to their brothers or husbands.

Sheppard also writes of possibly attending a Parliamentary Franchise debate for women at the House of Commons. "There is to be a Women's Franchise debate and a discussion and debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday". Despite her doctor's orders for "absolute rest", the ever-resilient Kate Sheppard was also still hopeful of attending the Berlin Congress in June.

Furthermore, she writes of her intention to return to New Zealand, despite her husband and son remaining in England.

From: [Oak Hill, London] To: [Hepburn Street, Auckland],

Last Update: 19 Sept 2025

Other Id

13316 (Presto content ID)

MS-94-16 (Reference Number)

Department

Manuscripts

Subject Notes

Kate Sheppard, was born Catherine Wilson Malcolm, at Liverpool, England, and spent her childhood in London, Nairn in Scotland, and Dublin. After the death of her father in 1862, her mother immigrated with Kate and her two brothers to Lyttelton, New Zealand. Her active public life began as a member of the Trinity Congressional Church, and graduated to her role as a founding member of the New Zealand Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Between 1887 and 1902, Sheppard was appointed national superintendent of the franchise and legislative department. In this role she co-ordinated local unions and supported their efforts to encourage temperance and women’s right to participate in politics. She led the campaign for women's suffrage, acted as convener of the economics department of the Canterbury Women’s Institute, and was elected Vice President and President of the National Council of Women (NCW). In 1903, she was honoured by the NCW for her outstanding contributions to the community, before she returned to England. After only a year away, Kate Sheppard returned to New Zealand. She continued to write in support of women’s rights in connection with the NCW and other societies she helped establish.

Letter from Mrs Kate Sheppard to Mrs Amey Daldy, 11 March 1904

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