Celebrating women here and now
Hutt Valley residents should be on the lookout for their own modern-day Kate Sheppard.
To celebrate the 125th anniversary of the suffrage movement, Petone Settlers Museum community curator Arawhetu Berdinner is working on a new exhibition, Whakatu¯ Wa¯hine - Women Here and Now.
Berdinner has put the call out for Hutt Valley women, between the ages of 15 and 40, who uplift and inspire the community and can be featured in the exhibition.
‘‘This is looking at leadership in the Hutt Valley today, looking at that younger generation coming through,’’ she said.
Up to five women will be chosen for Whakatu¯ Wa¯hine - Women Here and Now and will be selected based on their work for the community, whether that’s volunteering or paid.
Each woman will be interviewed on camera, have their photo taken and host an event relating to their area of expertise - such as a dance class if one of the women was a dancer, for example.
A physical exhibition will be put together around mid-August in the museum and the videos would likely be uploaded online as well, Berdinner said.
She said they were looking for women who hadn’t been recognised for their work yet and were developing as leaders.
For example, she said, they could be a dance teacher, or an umpire, or someone who is heavily involved with their local marae.
‘‘I really want people to feel proud of the success that these women are generating - that it’s coming from the community and it’s lifting the people up as they go. I want it to be something that inspires people.’’
The exhibition came about mostly as a reaction to the Suf- frage 125 movement, Berdinner said.
To celebrate the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage is overseeing and connecting different suffrage-related events around the country.
‘‘We’re so excited to be telling these stories. We just want to hear from people, we want to hear about those leaders that are really special in their communities.
‘‘This is the time to be doing it,’’ Berdinner said.
Applications for Whakatu¯ Wa¯hine - Women Here and Now close June 8 and nomination forms can be found online at petonesettlers.org or at the Petone Settlers Museum on the Esplanade.