Symbol of Suffrage

121 years ago today the bill that gave New Zealand women the vote was passed into law. This was a triumphant moment for our Suffragists who had fought a long hard battle to give women this right which is so often taken for granted in this day and age. Indeed we should remember that our female forebears were the first in the world to win the right to vote. New Zealand Parliamentarians who were opposed to women being given the vote wore red camellias whilst the men who supported the cause wore white camellias in their buttonholes. Thus the white camellia became the symbol of Women’s Suffrage and is featured in my image today.
Women’s Suffrage is celebrated on the 19th of September every year. This year the General Election takes place tomorrow, the 20th of September, and in view of this coincidence two Marlborough women, who value the opportunities given to us via suffrage, organised a special rally.
This was held in The Forum, our town centre, at midday today and was a resounding success. We had four inspirational women speakers, the youngest being a lass from the Marlborough Girl’s College… she was brilliant. There were white camellias in folk’s buttonholes and decorating the band rotunda. We had a Women’s Suffrage Choir who led us in singing “Bread and Roses” and “This Land is our Land”, adapted for New Zealand. The whole event was a buzz and very uplifting. Thank you to the two inspired organisers who made this such a great occasion which reminded us all of our responsibility to exercise our vote in the General Election tomorrow.