KATE EDGER'S LEGACY

Kate Edgar was born in England in 1857. When Kate was young, the family moved to Auckland. She gained permission to study with the top class of boys at the Auckland College and Grammar School. In fact, since she was the only girl in the class, she had to enter with her eyes fixed to the floor. It has been said that the boys were polite to her, but she never spoke to them.
Because the school had connections with the University of New Zealand, Kate could work towards a degree. Kate ended up being a candidate for one of the Maths Scholarships to be awarded at the Examination in May. She gave her age and qualifications but did not say she was a girl - and Kate was accepted.
Making history as the first female in the British Empire to gain this degree, nearly one thousand people attended her graduation, and the Bishop of Auckland gifted her a white camellia flower for her 'unpretending excellence'. 
Kate Edgar then went on to be the first principal for Nelson College for Girls and taught an array of subjects including English Grammar, Science, and Latin. Kate died in 1935. 

1. Explain the difference in attitudes to education today and the time when Kate was a girl. 
Today, girls and boys, and everyone in between, are both encouraged to get themselves an education through high schools and universities across the country. Girls are widely accepted into all universities, just as equal as boys. In fact, in 2009, two-thirds of bachelor degrees were given to women. Evidence shows the tertiary education gender gap between girls and boys increased by about 1 percent per year - with women on top. 
However, back when Kate was a girl, around mid-late 19th century, it was not quite the same. It was the boys that were earning their degrees and allowed to participate in tertiary education. There were no secondary schools for girls in Auckland in the 19th century, in fact. It can be determined that there is a huge difference in attitudes between girls and boy's education between the 19th and 21st century. 

2. Find out where the term 'blue stocking' came from.
Blue stocking was a term used to describe 'intellectual' women who would rather discuss things such as social issues than things such as embroidery or housework. Talking about anything other than 'women issues' was frowned upon as it wasn't ladylike. The name originates from the 'Blue Stocking Society', a social and educational movement lead by women in the mid 18th century. From then on it was common for women to be called a blue stocking if they would discuss these frowned-upon topics. 

3. Describe how females in Kate's day were expected to behave.
Most prominently, society did not think girls should deserve the same educational opportunities as boys; apart from a small array of subjects including drawing, cooking, sewing, housework, etc. This was because it was thought the study of academic subjects would make a women's brain could harm and inflame their brains. The sole purpose of women's lives were not to be educated, but to find a husband, have children, and serve him. It wasn't as if they could get out of their marriage either - it was very, very rare for women to be granted divorces up until the very late 18th century. In summary, women did not have the same rights as men and had to behave very, very differently in oppose to them. 

4. Write "Kate Edger" in a vertical column down your page. Beside each letter of her name write one word beginning with that letter that you associate with her. Beside each word put a piece of proof to back up your decision. 

Knowledgeable; for being able to teach an array of subjects. 
Academic; for her skillful capability in all areas of school
Teacher; for her many years teaching.
Educated; for many years spent in tertiary and secondary education.

Encouraging; a quality that she, as a teacher, must have had.
Determined to receive the education she deserves.
Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.
Eager to receive her education; eager to give and teach.
Recognised for her heroic, history-making achievements.

5. Discuss the links between a white camellia, Kate, and the aim of the Urangi. 
White camellia flowers symbolise adoration, and are typically given to people who are well-liked. Kate Edgar is just one of the women who have been gifted white camellias in return for their wonderful achievements, because she is very well-liked by many. The aim of the Urangi at Auckland University is to 'create and maintain a positive, productive learning environment in which all persons treat each other with respect'. Kate links to this because, simply, she showed all of these skills effortlessly at both Nelson College and her private secondary school in Wellington. Perhaps it was one of her goals. But what we do know is that Kate excelled at these skills with tremendous accomplishment. 

6. Web search: Emily Siedeberg was the first female doctor in New Zealand. Ethel Benjamin was the first female lawyer in New Zealand and in the British Empire. Find out how they, like Kate Edger, helped to change society's attitudes.
By becoming the first female doctor and lawyer in New Zealand/British Empire, these powerful women have accomplished history-making acts. Men once believed that women were incapable of achievements such as these; but these women defeated the odds. Society changed from men thinking poorly of women's academic skills, to actually being proved wrong: and that yes, women can do anything men can do.