Preserving the Kate Sheppard Teaspoon 
<p>In 1893 Kate Sheppard and her fellow suffragists gathered the signatures of nearly 32,000 women, creating a 270-m-long petition. The petition called for electoral franchise to be extended to women, to enable women to vote. On 19 September, 1893, legislation was passed by both houses of Parliament and the Electoral Act 1893 became law. The news took New Zealand by storm and inspired suffrage movements all over the world.
</p><p>This commemorative teaspoon, featuring the image of Kate Sheppard, was produced as part of events celebrating 100 years of Women’s Suffrage. It has been photographed in a newly created customised enclosure. You can read more about preserving suffrage memorabilia in our Facebook Note.
</p><p>The teaspoon is an example of the merchandise or products that were produced to celebrate or advertise the 1993 Suffrage Centennial Year. In some cases projects produced regalia as part of their work, where this is the case the project number is noted on the list in Archway. This material was transferred to Archives New Zealand from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
</p><p>Title: Miscellaneous Objects Kate Sheppard Teaspoon
</p><p>Archives reference: ABKH 7367 W4437 Box 100/ NF415
</p><p>www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=17049096
</p><p>The Petition, along with Tiriti o Waitangi sheets and He Whakaputanga are now on display at the National Library: natlib.govt.nz/he-tohu
</p><p>You can search for the 1893 signatories by name and download sheets at : nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/womens-suffrage/petition
</p><p>For more information use our “ask an archivist” link on our website: www.archives.govt.nz
</p>
Material from Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Archives New Zealand
CC BY 2.0
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