Georgina Abernethy

Georgina Abernethy (née Shorland, c.1859–1906) was a New Zealand suffragist and leader of Wesleyan women.

Early life

Abernethy was born in Auckland to a carpenter, John Shorland, and his wife (name unknown). Her life centred around the church, where she played music, taught Sunday school and worked on mission projects.[1] On 10 April 1883 she married Christopher Abernethy, who had been born in the Shetland Islands and emigrated to New Zealand at the age of 16.[2][3]

Adult life

The Abernethys were posted to a series of short-term positions at Wesleyan parishes around the country. Initially posted to Hokitika, in 1890 they were living in Balclutha and in 1892 in Gore.[3] There, Abernethy became president of the Gore Women's Franchise League. In this role she spoke at a public meeting organised, chaired and addressed by women - the largest number of women to attend any suffrage meeting in the country.[1] She was also involved in the Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society, and proposed the introduction of a women's night to the Society's meetings.[1]

The Abernethys had four children: Jessie (1885–1920), Thomas (1890–1918), Kenneth (died 1917) and Rex (1891–1965). Both Thomas and Kenneth were killed in action in World War I.[3]

Abernethy died in 1906 in Christchurch aged 47 following surgery.[3][4]

References
  1. Thomson, Jane (ed.) (1998). Southern People - A Dictionary of Otago Southland Biography. Dunedin, New Zealand: Longacre Press. p. 1. ISBN 1-877135-11-9.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  2. "Marriages". Otago Witness. 1883-06-02. p. 17. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  3. Phillipps, Donald (May 2015). "Unsung Methodists - Christopher Abernethy" (PDF). Touchstone. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  4. "Deaths". Manawatu Standard. 1906-07-09. p. 4. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
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