NZ Women’s Social Enterprise Hits $9 Million On Suffrage Day

One of New Zealand women’s oldest social enterprises will celebrate awarding over $9million in educational scholarships to women studying in Auckland and Northland this Suffrage Day.

Kate Edger Foundation hit the monetary milestone this month having empowered over 2000 women to go on to, or return to, tertiary education.

The millions of dollars poured back into women’s education over the last 21 years are profits raised by hiring and selling graduation regalia and legal attire - a social enterprise revenue model founded in the historic grassroots initiative of New Zealand’s early graduate women. Women originally painstakingly handsewed and hired out academic regalia to earn funds to support the next women coming behind them to gain tertiary education- inspired by Kate Edger, the passionate suffragist and first woman to gain a degree in New Zealand in 1877. A watershed moment achieved a full 16 years before women won the vote in 1893.

Edger famously outsmarted the system by enrolling at university under the gender-neutral name ‘K.Edger’ and just turning up on the first day. Her tenacity and academic acumen saw her successfully study in both institutes as the only female. She was presented a white camellia on the day she graduated - the symbol of resilience and women's suffrage.

Kate Edger and Kate Sheppard's advocacy for women's intellectual and political equality were heavily aligned. As an activist Edger ran suffrage meetings and gave speeches, her presence as a groundbreaking female scholar always adding gravitas to the cause. She also held senior leadership positions in the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, spent decades working as an advocate for and teacher of those in poverty and led the Wellington branch of the NZ Society For The Protection Of Women & Children. Kate Edger’s name appears on the famous Women’s Suffrage Petition as Kate M. Evans (her married name).

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Notably, Edger was also the associate editor of The White Ribbon newspaper - New Zealand’s first publication owned, edited and published entirely by women and founded by inaugural editor, Kate Sheppard.

“Suffragists knew the power of working together,” says Kate Edger Foundation Chair Stephanie Harris. “They valued the power of education not only to counter the intellectual inequality debate of the time, but to give women confidence and voice in order to participate in political and community decision-making.”

Kate Edger went on to earn a Masters Degree in 1882, was the very first assistant teacher at Christchurch Girls High School, the founding principal of Nelson College For Girls and even ran a private girls school from her home in Wellington. Throughout her life she vehemently defended the standard and breadth of education for girls being the same for girls as boys - drawing on the insights she had obtained attending male-only education institutes.

“When we educate women and girls it transforms society,” adds Harris. “Educated women earn more and women reinvest at least twice as much of their income as men - sometimes up to 90% - back into their families and communities. Women use knowledge to empower others - there’s a flow-on effect. It’s no coincidence that Bessie Te Wenerau Grace - the first Māori wahine to get a degree in 1926 - attended Nelson College for Girls, the school Kate Edger founded.”

Kate Edger Foundation’s awards range from $1000 to $24,000. They are awarded for all areas of study from foundation and return-to-study through to undergraduate, postgraduate, master's, doctoral and postdoctoral study. Women can apply to study for any field they choose with fields of study already funded including midwifery, law, medicine, counselling, engineering, education, nursing, music, science and the arts.

“We consciously support a diverse range of women across different ages, stages of education, fields of study, cultural backgrounds and life circumstances,” adds Harris. “From first in their family to study at tertiary level to inspirational school leavers and mothers returning to study.

“Our Te Whare Whakapiki Wairua Mana Wāhine - Alcohol and Other Drugs Court Judges’ Award (sponsored by Gattung Foundation) supporting wāhine with lived recovery experience who are often studying to assist those who come after them. And we proudly have awards for specific communities including Māori, Pasifika and the Solomon Islands.”

“It’s not just about the financial support," she says. “It’s also about what it feels like to receive recognition and support from other women to achieve your aspirations. A powerful sense of connection.”

Today’s $9million milestone comes as the Kate Edger Foundation celebrates its 21st birthday. The educational trust was founded in 2005 by Emeritus Professor Dame Charmian O'Connor and grew from the New Zealand Federation of University Women’s Auckland branch, founded in 1920. Their social enterprise now trades under The Graduation Place, with 100% of all profits going back into educating women.

“In recent years the foundation has diversified and partnered with philanthropic corporates, trusts, families and individuals whose values align with funding awards that empower women. We acknowledge their role as sponsors today in achieving this feat,” adds Harris.

“We’re always looking for new donors and partners. It is about lifting others as you rise. Every little bit helps pave a better future for our girls. To quote Kate Sheppard, ‘the rain that refreshes the parched ground is made up of single drops.’ “

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