Who was the first woman to vote? This question has intrigued historians and feminists alike for over a century. The answer, surprisingly, is not as straightforward as one might think. The journey towards women’s suffrage was a complex and multifaceted struggle that spanned across different countries and continents. While the first woman to vote in a national election is often credited to New Zealand in 1893, the story is more nuanced than that.
The concept of women’s suffrage dates back to the early 19th century when various movements advocating for women’s rights gained momentum. However, the first woman to cast a vote in a national election was not in New Zealand, but in Australia. In 1894, Mrs. Clarrie Hodge became the first woman to vote in a national election when she cast her ballot in the Australian state of South Australia. This significant event took place just a year after New Zealand granted women the right to vote in local elections.
In New Zealand, the first woman to vote in a national election was Kate Sheppard. On September 19, 1893, Kate Sheppard, along with 18,000 other women, exercised their right to vote in the general election. This historic event marked the beginning of women’s suffrage in New Zealand and set a precedent for other countries to follow.
The fight for women’s suffrage was not limited to New Zealand and Australia. In the United States, the first woman to vote in a national election was Mrs. Edna Lewis, who cast her ballot in the presidential election of 1920. This victory was a result of decades of advocacy and protests by suffragettes like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
The first woman to vote in a national election in the United Kingdom was also in 1920, when women over the age of 30 were granted the right to vote. In that year’s general election, Mrs. Emily Wilding Davison became the first woman to vote in a national election in the UK. Her achievement was a testament to the perseverance and determination of the suffragettes who fought tirelessly for women’s rights.
The story of the first woman to vote is a testament to the resilience and courage of women who fought for their rights. While Kate Sheppard, Clarrie Hodge, and Edna Lewis are often celebrated as the pioneers of women’s suffrage, it is important to recognize that their achievements were the result of a collective effort by countless women and men who believed in the cause of gender equality. The journey towards full suffrage for women was long and arduous, but the efforts of these early pioneers paved the way for the progress we see today.
