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Overview
This photograph shows journalist Leah McFall holding her placard at the Women's March on Washington in Wellington on 21 January 2017 outside Parliament. Her sign both invokes and pays homage to New Zealand's most iconic woman, Kate Sheppard (1847–1934). Sheppard was at the forefront of the suffrage movement which succeeded in gaining votes for women in 1893.
The Women's March was a global phenomenon which took place on the same day throughout the world featuring a broad coalition of nearly five million participants in over 600 Sister Marches in 60 countries on all seven continents. It was timed to protest the inauguration of the new United States president Donald Trump, and intended to send a message to his administration on its first day in office that women's rights are human rights.
'Sister Marches' took place across New Zealand with the largest marches in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Their mission was to 'stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families - recognising that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country' (Women's March on Washington Aotearoa New Zealand Facebook).
Social media had enabled the idea to sweep rapidly across America and around the world. The original ethos of the Sister Marches was one of solidarity with America, but shifted to a global perspective, with many marchers concerned not only by Trump's misogynistic attitudes, but also his effect on global politics; rising far-right populism around the world; and local concerns over citizens' rights.
Making and carrying the placard
Leah McFall salvaged the cardboard from a city skip, after deciding at the last minute to march. She recalls: ‘The evening before I jumped online to see what other marchers were planning over the US. I read a list of placard slogans and the comedy message 'Carrie Fisher sent me' made me smile. I thought it was brilliant to reference the actress, who had just died and was supposedly in feminist Heaven, and combine her iconic status as an avenging princess in the Star Wars movies. I wondered if I could adapt the gag for a New Zealand march. Kate Sheppard seemed the obvious pick, especially as we were marching in Wellington (and gathered in view of the Kate Sheppard Apartments!).
Because the sign was light-hearted, loads of marchers loved it and approached Jane [O'Loughlin] and I to compliment the message. We had our pictures taken with it at least five times, and gave the sign to others to hold for pictures as well…. I hope members of the public (who smiled from buses, beeped from cars and watched us as we passed by) saw it and appreciated it too.
I think humour is an incredibly powerful means of expressing a passionate opinion without alienating anyone. The funniest signs often got the most attention - another marcher carried a popular one (We Shall Overcomb). I felt as ardent as any other marcher, but enjoyed carrying a sign which made people grin, as well as making them think.’