Kate Sheppard: The Suffragette Cook’s Hidden Recipe

Kate Sheppard, celebrated for spearheading the movement that granted New Zealand women the right to vote in 1893, is often remembered as a formidable political and social reformer. However, new research sheds light on her domestic side, revealing a lesser-known contribution to a 1928 church fundraiser cookery book.

While Sheppard preferred intellectual pursuits, she acknowledged the significance of women's domestic work as part of societal structure. Her recipe for Spanish cream, a custard-like dessert, was discovered among church records in Christchurch, offering a fresh perspective on her involvement in both church and community activities.

Sheppard's enduring association with the Trinity Congregational Church and her pioneering work in women's suffrage highlight how church activities served as a training ground for her later political achievements. Her interest in vegetarianism and cosmopolitanism also reflect her progressive views, adding depth to her historical image.

(With inputs from agencies.)