Margaret Sievwright

Margaret Home Sievwright ( Richardson; 19 March 1844 – 9 March 1905) was a New Zealand feminist, political activist and community leader. She was particularly active in the temperance and suffrage movements, and became president of the National Council of Women of New Zealand.

Early life Margaret Home Sievwright was born in Pencaitland, East Lothian in 1844 to John Richardson, an estate factor, and Jane Law Home. She grew up in and near Edinburgh. She developed liberal humanist ideals. Throughout her life she maintained an enthusiasm for learning and social activism, with a particular focus on improving conditions for women and children. She entered teaching, working at the “ragged schools” in Edinburgh. She left teaching and trained as a nurse under the Florence Nightingale system. As a nurse she joined Josephine Butler’s campaign against the Contagious Disease Acts in both Britain and New Zealand.

Sievwright’s daughter, Wilhelmina, married Kate Sheppard’s only child, Douglas Sheppard in 1908. Sievwright held the office of president of the National Council of Women of New Zealand from 1901 to 1904. promoting a pacifist position during the Boer War.

At the NCWNZ session in 1902, introducing her paper ‘The removal of civic and political disabilities of women’ Sievwright stated: "The question is often asked 'What do women want?' We want men to stand out of our sunshine, that is all".

Memorial Sievwright fell ill in 1905, and died 9 March 1905 in Gisborne. She is buried in a family plot at Makaraka cemetery.

Colleagues of Sievwright erected a drinking fountain in Gisborne, on Peel Street near the Gladstone Road intersection. It was later relocated to 7 Fitzherbert Street. The inscription reads: Ever a friend to the friendless, an uncompromising upholder of all that is merciful, temperate and just.