Independent, determined and capable, she symbolised a number of struggles: for survival and reconstruction among an impoverished people made helpless through land confiscations; and for recognition of the Rātana faith among the leadership and people of the King movement. She exemplified, also, the strong leadership qualities shown by many women of the Waikato kāhui ariki.
Rangitīaria Dennan, better known as Guide Rangi, achieved wide recognition as a cultural ambassador. With charm, insight and wit she imparted the essentials of Māori tradition to the tourists she guided around the thermal attractions at Whakarewarewa, Rotorua.
Reremoana could move comfortably between Māori and Pākehā worlds, creating lasting friendships and associations. She gave freely of her time, helped those who were less fortunate, and was a gracious and generous host.
The protection and consolidation of her people’s lands was accomplished through her foresight, ability and tenacity.
She wanted economic independence for married women, equal pay, and sex instruction and education for parenthood. She fought for the reform of the marriage and divorce laws, and maintained that prostitution would always exist as long as women lacked equal opportunity in employment. She objected to the stigma of the word ‘illegitimate’. Sievwright worked for disarmament during the South African war (1899–1902), and condemned any project ‘likely to involve Australasia in the participation of warfare’.
Morison left behind an important legacy, not only as a trade unionist, but also as a feminist. She provides an example of the strong connections between women workers and the battle for women’s rights in New Zealand. Her belief that women had a duty to care for the morals of society as well as a right to be protected from its evils extended into her approach to trade unionism.
The Baxters’ pacifist activity then focused on meetings of the New Zealand No More War Movement, later the New Zealand Peace Pledge Union, and they were central figures in these meetings before and during the Second World War.
Elizabeth Evatt is an eminent Australian reformist lawyer and jurist. A leading trailblazer, her support of women’s civil and human rights has left Australia with a significant and lasting legacy. Evatt became the first Chief Judge of the Family Court of Australia, the first female judge of an Australian federal court, the first female Member of the Federal Conciliation and Arbitration Commission and the first Australian to be elected to the United Nations Human Rights Committee.
Ngāti Kahungunu woman of mana
Tūhourangi woman of mana, guide, ethnographer