Social Reformer. A leader in the suffragist movement in New Zealand and the world, she was also an activist in more general areas such as social equality and political reform. Born in Liverpool, England, she was raised in a family that placed emphasis on religious principle and from this she developed her philosophy of Christian socialism. She emigrated to New Zealand in 1869 and two years later she married. She became an active member of the Trinity Congregational Church in Christchurch which lead her into temperance work, and in 1885 she became a founding member of the NZ Women's Christian Temperance Union. But she and others quickly realised that the problems wrought by alcohol in society could not be addressed solely by it being banned, so the WCTU focused on women's and children's issues and gaining their rightful role in the political process. She became the WCTU's national superintendent of the franchise and legislation department and in this role she traveled around NZ, supporting local branches, writing and speaking in public. The first petition for women's right to vote to be recognised went to Parliament in 1891, and two years later the momentum was such that the Electoral Act was passed and NZ women became the first in the world to gain the vote. The franchise was just one step on the way to equality in society however, and in 1896 the National Council of Women in New Zealand was founded, with Kate as President. The NCW set up "White Ribbon" as a forum for publishing women's views on important social issues, and Kate was appointed the editor. Bad health limited her involvement after 1902 but she remained a respected figure throughout the world, and when she traveled to the USA and Britain she was sought after as a mentor and public speaker. She died at her home in Christchurch in 1934 and the local newspaper wrote: "A great woman has gone, whose name will remain an inspiration to the daughters (and sons!) of New Zealand while our history endures." She is buried at Addington cemetery with her mother, a brother and a sister.
Social Reformer. A leader in the suffragist movement in New Zealand and the world, she was also an activist in more general areas such as social equality and political reform. Born in Liverpool, England, she was raised in a family that placed emphasis on religious principle and from this she developed her philosophy of Christian socialism. She emigrated to New Zealand in 1869 and two years later she married. She became an active member of the Trinity Congregational Church in Christchurch which lead her into temperance work, and in 1885 she became a founding member of the NZ Women's Christian Temperance Union. But she and others quickly realised that the problems wrought by alcohol in society could not be addressed solely by it being banned, so the WCTU focused on women's and children's issues and gaining their rightful role in the political process. She became the WCTU's national superintendent of the franchise and legislation department and in this role she traveled around NZ, supporting local branches, writing and speaking in public. The first petition for women's right to vote to be recognised went to Parliament in 1891, and two years later the momentum was such that the Electoral Act was passed and NZ women became the first in the world to gain the vote. The franchise was just one step on the way to equality in society however, and in 1896 the National Council of Women in New Zealand was founded, with Kate as President. The NCW set up "White Ribbon" as a forum for publishing women's views on important social issues, and Kate was appointed the editor. Bad health limited her involvement after 1902 but she remained a respected figure throughout the world, and when she traveled to the USA and Britain she was sought after as a mentor and public speaker. She died at her home in Christchurch in 1934 and the local newspaper wrote: "A great woman has gone, whose name will remain an inspiration to the daughters (and sons!) of New Zealand while our history endures." She is buried at Addington cemetery with her mother, a brother and a sister.
Bio by: Tim Reynolds
Family Members
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See more Lovell-Smith or Malcolm memorials in:
- Addington Cemetery Lovell-Smith or Malcolm
- Addington Lovell-Smith or Malcolm
- Christchurch City Lovell-Smith or Malcolm
- Canterbury Lovell-Smith or Malcolm
- New Zealand Lovell-Smith or Malcolm
- Find a Grave Lovell-Smith or Malcolm
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