The New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal 1993 was established by Royal Warrant on 1 July 1993. It was created to commemorate
Women's suffrage in New Zealand and to recognize those New Zealand and Commonwealth citizens who had made a significant contribution to women's rights or women's issues in New Zealand. The medal was only awarded in 1993.
Background
Women's suffrage in New Zealand was achieved by the passage of the Electoral Act 1893 on 19 September 1893. To commemorate the centennial of that event the medal was created. The medal served to recognize New Zealanders and other Commonwealth citizens who had made a significant or recognisable contribution to the rights of women or to women's issues within New Zealand.
[ The medal was awarded to 544 men and women.
]
Design
The medal is circular, struck in bronze with an antique finish. The obverse depicts the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse bears the inscription "1893 The New Zealand Suffrage Centennial 1993". The inscription is wreathed by a fern frond and a sprig of camellia foliage with a single flower. The stems of each are crossed and tied with a bow at the base.[ When worn by a woman the medal may be suspended by the ribbon shaped into a bow.][
The medal was designed by Phillip O’Shea, ]CNZM
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order of merit in the New Zealand royal honours system. It was established by royal warrant (document), royal warrant on 30 May 1996 by Elizabeth II, Monarchy of New Zealand, Queen of New Zealand, "for those ...
, CVO CVO may refer to:
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* Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver, Washington, US
* Chief veterinary officer, the head of a veterinary authority
* Circumventricular organs, positioned around the ventricular system of the brain
* Co ...
, New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary
New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary is the officer of arms responsible for the regulation of heraldry in New Zealand. Although affiliated with the College of Arms in London, the New Zealand Herald lives and works in New Zealand, and is not ...
and was struck by the Royal Australian Mint.[
]
Notable recipients
* Jill Amos
Jill Edwina Amos (née Turner, 26 August 1927 – 19 April 2017) was a New Zealand politician and community leader.
Biography
Born in the Auckland suburb of Devonport on 26 August 1927, Amos was the daughter of Charles Edwin Ross Turner and ...
– politician, activist
* Mary Batchelor – politician, advocate for women's equality
* Dorothy Buchanan – composer and teacher
* Helen Clark – politician
* Joy Cowley – author
* Lowell Goddard
Dame Lowell Patria Goddard, (born 25 November 1948) is a former New Zealand High Court judge, from 1995 to 2015. She is thought to be the first person of Māori ancestry to have been appointed to the High Court. In 1988, she was one of the fi ...
– jurist
* Catherine Healy – sex workers' rights activist
* Annette King – politician
* Areta Koopu
Dame Areta Koopu (née King; born 8 March 1941) is a New Zealand social worker and Māori activist. She was a member of the New Zealand Māori Council from 1987 to 1992, National President of the Māori Women's Welfare League from 1993 to 1996, ...
– social worker and Māori activist
* Jenny Shipley – politician
* Cheryll Sotheran
Dame Cheryll Beatrice Sotheran (11 October 1945 – 30 December 2017) was a New Zealand museum professional. She was the founding chief executive of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and was credited with the successful completion of ...
– museum administrator
* Marilyn Waring – feminist, politician, and academic
References
External links
Obverse view of the medal
{{New Zealand honours lists
Suffrage Centennial Medal
Women's suffrage in New Zealand
*
1993 in women's history