In 1986, Lower Hutt City Council set up a series of seminars for local women to put forward ideas about what they needed. One of the ideas was a women’s centre, for empowerment, education, ending discrimination and tackling the oppression of women.
Dress for Success in New Zealand was part of a global movement for change and empowerment of women. The first organisation was established by Nancy Lublin in 1997 in New York, and by 2018 it had more than 150 affiliates in 20 countries. Dress for Success was first launched in Auckland in 1999 by Judi Hartley, then in Wellington in 2001.
Service
This essay written by Dorothy Page was first published in Women Together: a History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand in 1993. It was updated by Dorothy Page in 2018.
Soroptimist International of Aotearoa New Zealand
1939 –
Theme: Service
Known as:
- Soroptimist International (New Zealand)
1939 – 2018 - Soroptimist International of Aotearoa New Zealand
2018 –
This essay written by Sandy Bardsley was first published in Women Together: a History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand in 1993. It was updated by Yvonne Simpson and Annette Smith in 2018.
In 1993 Soroptimist International was one of the world's largest women's service organisations, involving nearly 100,000 women in over 90 countries. The term 'Soroptimist' means 'best of sisters'.
This essay written by Bronwyn Dalley was first published in Women Together: a History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand in 1993. It was updated by Bronwyn Dalley in 2018.
The aims of this organisation were to foster esprit de corps, affiliate with other ex-WAAC and kindred associations, and arrange functions.
Inner Wheel New Zealand
1936 –
Theme: Service
Known as:
- Association of Inner Wheel Clubs of Great Britain and Ireland
1936 – 1947 - Association of Inner Wheel Clubs
1947 – 1967 - International Inner Wheel
1967 – 1990 - Inner Wheel New Zealand
1990 –
This essay written by Diana Beaglehole was first published in Women Together: a History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand in 1993. It was updated by Annabelle Valentine in 2018.
Women's division of Rotary
This essay written by Sandy Bardsley was first published in Women Together: a History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand in 1993. It was updated by Patricia O’Donnell in 2018.
Altrusa was formed as an organisation for professional and business women.
This essay written by Bronwyn Dalley was first published in Women Together: a History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand in 1993. It was updated by Stephen Clarke in 2018.
The women's sections of the Royal New Zealand Returned Services' Association (RSA) offered a range of welfare and support services to members of the RSA and the wider community
This essay written by Cherry Raymond was first published in Women Together: a History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand in 1993. It was updated by Helen Reilly in 2018.
Zonta International became a world-wide service organisation of women executives in business and the professions, working to improve the legal, political, economic, educational and professional status of women.
This essay written by Yvonne Robertson (later Wilkie) was first published in Women Together: a History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand in 1993. It was updated by Yvonne Wilkie in 2018.
The Rebekah Lodges were the Women’s Associate Lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
This essay written by Bronwyn Dalley was first published in Women Together: a History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand in 1993.
Home front organisations set up to provide 'necessaries' for the troops at home and abroad
This essay written by Fiona McKergow was first published in Women Together: a History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand in 1993.
The New Zealand Co-operative Women's Guild was the female wing of the expanding co-operative trading movement of the 1930s
Hospital Library Visitors' Association
1887 –
Theme: Service
Known as:
- Hospital Lady Visitors' Association
1887 – 1984 - Hospital Library Visitors' Association
1985 –
This essay written by Patricia Sargison was first published in Women Together: a History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand in 1993. It was updated by Patricia Sargison in 2018.
1887 – 1993
The Hospital Lady Visitors' Association (HLVA) was founded in Christchurch in 1887 'to bring cheer and brightness into the lives of patients while in hospital and to give temporary relief and assistance to destitute and needy persons when they leave'. [1] One hundred years later, the president stated, ’Although the requirements of patients have changed gradually with changes in society in general, the essential nature of the Association remains . .
This essay written by Fiona McKergow was first published in Women Together: a History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand in 1993. It was updated by Fiona McKergow in 2018.
The Dominion Federation of Townswomen's Guilds aimed to educate women and to encourage 'their development as citizens'