Sheppard collected the largest petition ever presented to the Parliament of New Zealand with nearly 32,000 signatures. No longer able to ignore the demand, the Parliament granted the Electoral Bill in 1893. New Zealand had become the first country in the world in which all women exercised the right to vote.
The supporters of the 1893 Electoral Bill were presented with while camellia to wear in their buttonhole. A new variety was named after Sheppard for the 100th anniversary in 1993, for the white camellia still lives as an endearing symbol of women’s suffrage in New Zealand today. |