Eat, enjoy and be thankful

Memories of our foremothers, the many Southland women who worked to gain votes for women well over a century ago will surface this year on Wednesday, September 19, the 125th anniversary of the day in 1893 when the Bill was passed enfranchising New Zealand women, the first in the world to gain the right to vote.

Southlanders are invited to join in celebrating Suffrage Day 125 at a special dinner that night organised by the National Council of Women of NZ, the organisation established by suffrage leader Kate Sheppard.

And president Anne McCracken says the support women and some men gave all those years ago might be marked by attendance at the suffrage dinner at the Ascot Park hotel when keynote speaker the wonderfully witty Pinky Agnew of

Wellington will talk of the 10 things that drew her into feminism.

No it is not about burning bras or anything silly but serious yet humorous thoughts that trigger response from others. The author of several books of verse for weddings, christenings and other celebrations, Pinky Agnew has a voice heard often on National Radio, over the microphone at conference gatherings and in plays she has written as well as performed in theatres like our own Civic. She will be the special treat of a night destined to be great.

This is a ticketed event which means people must register names and pay the $50 per person by 5pm on Wednesday, September 5, two weeks before the big night.

Catering restrictions mean numbers are closed off then so no late entries and

no pay at the door — something of a change this for Southlanders known for their reluctance to commit ahead, but failure to do so means missing out.

One other change might double the numbers wishing to attend: This is to be a gender equal night, women are urged to invite their partners who will be made welcome.

But, even in a gender equal world, the no free lunch maxim applies. Bring your bloke but register for two and pay the $100 tab this will attract.

Suffrage colours of purple, green and white will dominate the night in table napklns, ribbons and flowers, including the white camellia, the badge of suffrage.

Mrs McCracken suggests people may dress in the colours of suffrage or in the long dark skirts and white shirtwaisters which were the order of the day circa 1893.

But the main message is to come and celebrate and be thankful for the work done.