Story: Gender inequalities

Avoiding public attention (2nd of 2)

Avoiding public attention

In the mid-19th century it was usual for respectable women to avoid most public activities, including anything that smacked of politics. Church groups and events, like the church bazaar shown here, were the sole public activity many women engaged in. When Learmonth Dalrymple campaigned for girls’ secondary education in the 1860s she found that many women were 'too timid to sign a public document' or go to a public meeting. Some simply refused, and many of those who attended were nervous.

Using this item

Nelson Provincial Museum, Tyree Studio Collection
Reference: 29579

Permission must be sought from Nelson Provincial Museum before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Anne Else, 'Gender inequalities - Areas of discrimination', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/28620/avoiding-public-attention (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Anne Else, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 20 Jun 2018