Sievwright, Margaret Home (1844–1905)

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Sievwright, Margaret Home (1844–1905)

New Zealand feminist and political activist. Name variations: Margaret Richardson. Born Margaret Richardson, Mar 19, 1844, in East Lothian, Scotland; died Mar 9, 1905, at Whataupoko, Poverty Bay, New Zealand; dau. of John Richardson and Jane Law (Home) Richardson; m. William Sievwright (lawyer), 1878; children: 1 daughter.

Immigrated to New Zealand (1878); was appointed to Waiapu Licensing Board and organized local branch of New Zealand Women's Christian Temperance Union; presented petition with 32,000 signatures to leading suffrage supporter, who took it to House of Representatives, where Electoral Bill became law (1887–92); served as president of Gisborne Women's Political Association (1901–05); established Local Council of Waiapu Women, which promoted women's causes internationally (1901); also advocated for reform in marriage and divorce laws.

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 2).