Editing Kate Sheppard (section)

===Early engagement===
Kate Sheppard's activism and engagement with politics began after listening to or reading about a talk by [[Mary Greenleaf Clement Leavitt|Mary Leavitt]] from the [[Woman's Christian Temperance Union]] (WCTU) of the United States.{{sfn|Devaliant|1992|p=19}} In 1885 Leavitt toured New Zealand speaking not only about the problems caused by alcohol consumption, but also the need for women to have a "voice in public affairs".{{sfn|Grimshaw|1987|pp=27–28}} She spent two weeks in Christchurch, starting with a public speech at the [[Isaac Theatre Royal|Theatre Royal]] on 10 May.{{sfn|"Gospel Temperance Union"}} Journalists were impressed by the strength of public speaking displayed by a woman, something not witnessed often at that time in New Zealand.{{sfn|Devaliant|1992|pp=18–19}}{{sfn|"Press Editorial 16 May 1885"}}

Sheppard became involved in establishing a Christchurch branch of the WCTU NZ prior to the formation of a national organisation.{{sfn|Devaliant|1992|p=20}}{{sfn|"Mrs Leavitt at Durham Street Wesleyan Church"}} Her initial involvement was in promoting petitions to Parliament to prevent women being employed as barmaids, and to outlaw the sale of alcohol to children. This marked the beginning of her collaborations with Alfred Saunders, who advised her on her negotiations with politicians and who wrote to the [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|premier]], Sir [[Robert Stout]], seeking to further her campaign. The barmaid petitions (including some from other parts of the country) were rejected by the Petitions Committee of Parliament later in 1885.{{sfn|Devaliant|1992|p=19}}{{sfn|"Meetings of Societies"}} Sheppard decided that politicians would continue to ignore petitions from women as long as women could not vote.{{sfn|Devaliant|1992|p=22}}

In 1879 universal male suffrage had been granted to all men over the age of 21 whether they owned property or not, but women were still excluded as electors.{{sfn|Universal male suffrage}}{{efn|All [[Māori people|Māori]] men had been able to elect members of [[Māori electorates]] since 1867.{{sfn|Universal male suffrage}}}} A limited number of voting rights were extended to female voters in the 1870s. Female [[rates (tax)|ratepayers]] were able to vote in local body elections in 1873, and in 1877 women "householders" were given the right to vote in and stand for education boards.{{sfn|Kate Sheppard, 1847–1934}}{{efn|"Rates" are a tax on land levied by local councils.}}

The New Zealand Women's Christian Temperance Union was formed under the leadership of [[Anne Ward (suffragist)|Anne Ward]] at a conference in Wellington in February 1886. Sheppard did not attend that conference, but at the second national convention in Christchurch a year later, she arrived ready to present a paper on women's suffrage, although there was no opportunity for her to do so. She was first appointed Superintendent for Relative Statistics, owing to her interest in economics.{{sfn|Devaliant|1992|p=21}} In 1887{{mdash}}when more local Franchise departments were established within the WCTU NZ{{mdash}}she replaced [[Women's Christian Temperance Union New Zealand#Petitions to New Zealand government for woman suffrage|Mrs. G Clarke]] as National Superintendent for the Franchise and Legislation.{{sfn|Malcolm|2013}}{{sfn|Devaliant|1992|pp=23–24}}

Much of the support for moderation came from women, and the WCTU NZ believed that women's suffrage could advance their aim to prohibit alcohol while promoting child and family welfare.{{sfn|King|2003|p=265}} Sheppard soon became prominent in the area of women's suffrage, but her interest in the cause went beyond practical considerations regarding temperance. Her views were made well known with her statement that "all that separates, whether of race, class, creed, or sex, is inhuman, and must be overcome."{{sfn|Lusted|2009}} Sheppard proved to be a powerful speaker and a skilled organiser, quickly building support for her cause.{{sfn|Malcolm|2013}}

[[File:Julius Vogel, ca 1870s.jpg|left|thumb|Sir [[Julius Vogel]], member of parliament for [[Christchurch North (New Zealand electorate)|Christchurch North]] and former [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|premier]], introduced a Female Suffrage Bill to Parliament in 1887.]]
The WCTU NZ sent a deputation to Sir [[Julius Vogel]], a member of parliament and former premier, asking him to introduce a suffrage bill to parliament.{{sfn|Devaliant|1992|p=24}} He did so in 1887, with the Female Suffrage Bill, and Sheppard campaigned for its support.{{sfn|Lusted|2009}} In its third reading, the part dealing with women's suffrage was defeated by one vote, and the bill was withdrawn.{{sfn|Devaliant|1992|pp=25–27}}{{sfn|Grimshaw|1987|pp=42–43}}{{sfn|"The Women's Franchise"}} During the [[1887 New Zealand general election|general election campaign]] later that year Sheppard encouraged WCTU NZ members to ask parliamentary candidates questions about suffrage, but few women did so.{{sfn|Devaliant|1992|p=30}}

In 1888 Sheppard was President of the Christchurch branch of the WCTU NZ, and presented a report to the national convention in [[Dunedin]], where the convention decided that prohibition and women's suffrage would be the organisation's central aims. Sheppard made public speeches on suffrage in Dunedin, [[Oamaru]], and Christchurch, developing a confident speaking style. To reinforce her message, she gave audiences leaflets produced in Britain and the United States.{{sfn|Devaliant|1992|pp=30–31}} Sheppard then published her own single-sheet pamphlet titled ''Ten Reasons Why the Women of New Zealand Should Vote'', which displayed her "dry wit and logical approach".{{sfn|Fleischer|2014|pp=151–154}}{{sfn|Ten Reasons Why the Women of New Zealand Should Vote}} A copy was sent to every member of the [[New Zealand House of Representatives|House of Representatives]].{{sfn|Devaliant|1992|p=32}}