NZ History

[swyse]

I am presently undertaking PhD research into women's economic opportunity and wealth holding in New Zealand cities between c1890 and 1950. Part of this is to look at the way in which women's societies influenced women's take-up of paid employment , wealth holding and general ideas about economic progress.

Does anyone know about the Southern Cross Society - started by Anna Stout - one of whose aims was to educate women in economics and politics. I have reason to believe that they were one of the earliest groups to encourage New Zealand women to take an active role in family wealth holding and financial management, beyond women owning their own property after the 1884 Married Women's Property Act was passed.

I would be interested in hearing from anyone with information about the Society (I have seen the Alexander Turnbull Library and NRAM sources), or with any contributions that may help my understanding of women's economic opportunity and welath holding during this period.

[bronwyn dalley]

I have a few suggestions here so you may want to contact me off the list about this.


Bronwyn