Kate Edger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kate Edger
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| Born |
Kate Milligan Edger
6 January 1857 |
| Died | 6 May 1935 |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Education | Auckland College and Grammar School |
| Occupation | headmistress |
| Employer | Nelson College for Girls |
| Known for | first NZ woman university graduate; temperance and world peace activist |
| Spouse(s) | William Albert Evans |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Louisa Harwood and the Reverend Samuel Edger |
| Relatives | Geraldine Hemus (niece) |
Kate Milligan Evans (born Edger, 6 January 1857 – 6 May 1935) was a very important woman in New Zealand's history. She was the first woman in New Zealand to earn a university degree. She might even have been the second woman in the entire British Empire to do so!
Contents
Early Life and Family
Kate Edger was born in 1857 in a town called Abingdon in England. Her father, Reverend Samuel Edger, was a Christian minister. In 1862, when Kate was five years old, her family moved from England to New Zealand. They first lived in a place called Albertland, and then moved to Auckland.
Kate had several siblings. Her sisters, Louisa, Emily, Gertrude, and Lilian, and her brother, Herbert, were also part of her family.
Education and Breaking Barriers
Kate and her sisters learned a lot from their father at home. He was a university graduate himself. At that time, it was very unusual for girls to go to university. But Kate was very smart and showed great promise in her studies.
She was allowed to join the top class at the Auckland College and Grammar School. This school was connected to the University of New Zealand. When Kate applied to take a university scholarship exam, she did not mention that she was a girl. Her application was accepted! She was the only female student in her classes.
On 11 July 1877, Kate made history. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Zealand. She focused on mathematics and Latin. People were so impressed that about 1,000 people came to celebrate her achievement. The Bishop gave her a camellia flower, which symbolized her modesty and her success.
Kate and her sister, Lilian, both continued their studies. They went on to earn master's degrees from Canterbury College, which is now the University of Canterbury.
Career as an Educator
After finishing her studies, Kate Edger started teaching. Her first teaching job was at Christchurch Girls' High School.
In 1883, she became the first principal of Nelson College for Girls. This was a big responsibility! As principal, she also taught many subjects. These included English, science, Latin, mathematics, singing, and geography.
Kate worked hard at the school. However, after she got married in 1890, she decided to resign. This was likely because she was expecting her first child.
Activism and Public Service
Kate Edger was not just an educator; she was also a strong activist. She held several important roles in the Women's Christian Temperance Union New Zealand (WCTU NZ). This group worked to reduce alcohol use and promote social good.
She was an editor for their newspaper, a secretary, and a leader for teaching about temperance in schools. She also worked for peace. She was a national leader for "Peace and Arbitration," which means working to solve problems without fighting.
Kate also helped start the Society for the Protection of Women and Children in Wellington. She was also a secretary for the League of Nations Union of New Zealand. This group worked to promote world peace and cooperation between countries.
Personal Life
In 1890, Kate married William Evans. She supported her husband's charity work. She did this by running a private school and teaching students privately.
Kate's sister, Lilian Edger, was also very accomplished. Like Kate, Lilian was one of the first British women to earn a university degree. Lilian started a secondary school for girls called Ponsonby College in 1888. She also gave public lectures and traveled to India and Australia to speak about philosophy. Lilian lived in India for 40 years, where she taught and wrote books.
Another of Kate's sisters, Gertrude, had a daughter named Geraldine Hemus. Geraldine became the third woman in New Zealand to become a lawyer.
Kate's brother, Herbert Edger, was a lawyer. He also served as a judge in the Native Land Court.
After her husband passed away in 1921, Kate lived in Wellington. She later moved to Dunedin in 1932. Kate Edger passed away there on 6 May 1935.
Legacy and Recognition
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Kate Edger's impact is still felt today. The Kate Edger Educational Charitable Trust helps women financially who are studying at university.
In 2004, The University of Auckland created the Kate Edger Information Commons. This is a study and learning space for students.
In 2017, Kate Edger was recognized by the Royal Society Te Apārangi. She was chosen as one of "150 Women in 150 Words" for her contributions. In September 2018, the Department of Mathematics at the University of Auckland was even temporarily renamed the "Kate Edger Department of Mathematics." This was to celebrate 125 years since women gained the right to vote in New Zealand.
