Suffrage 125 – Women in Science

One hundred and twenty-five years ago, on 19 September 1893, after submitting a petition with nearly 32,000 signatures, New Zealand became the first self-governing country to grant women the vote. In most other democracies, including the US and the UK, women did not have that right until after the First World War.

To commemorate this landmark occasion, and to join the nationwide celebration of Suffrage 125, the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Science has obtained permission to temporarily rename our schools, departments and the faculty itself to honour alumnae of note, who have been pivotal to the history of science in New Zealand and beyond.

Read the biographies of these trailblazing women scientists below.

The Faculty of Science would like to acknowledge the many people who have been involved in pulling together this event so quickly. Many thanks to Brittany Bennenbroek, Greg Blackwell, Kate Hannah, Cate Hennessy, Kiri-Ann Olney, Chris Phillips, Judith Poland, Margot Spraggon, Kylie Stewart, Nicole Taylor-Gray and Jacinda Torrance.

With special thanks to Dean of Science Professor John Hosking and Associate Dean Equity Professor Virginia Braun for supporting this event.

Women in Science Fund

Supporting and encouraging more women to study science is a priority for the University of Auckland. To celebrate this priority, and support future trailblazers, we have launched our Women in Science fundraising campaign. Through the Women in Science campaign we hope to raise $125,000 to support scholarships, conference costs and academic positions, all with the aim of encouraging more women to continue with scientific careers.

Please help us to support more women in science by making a donation of any amount to the Women in Science Fund and feel free to promote our campaign on social media using the hashtag #uoawomeninscience.

Support the Women in Science Fund