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Today in History: Kate Sheppard leads New Zealand first universal suffrage

By Drooid · Sep 19, 2026, 10:35 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

On 19 September 1893, New Zealand granted all adult women the right to vote, becoming the world’s first nation with universal suffrage. The achievement followed years of campaigning by suffragist Kate Sheppard, whose 1893 petition persuaded Parliament to enact the Electoral Act extending voting rights to women.

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Story summary

On 19 September 1893, New Zealand granted all adult women the right to vote, becoming the world’s first nation with universal suffrage. The achievement followed years of campaigning by suffragist Kate Sheppard, whose 1893 petition persuaded Parliament to enact the Electoral Act extending voting rights to women.