New Zealand's first elected female politician was woman of remarkable tenacity and courage who endured abuse from her fellow councilors and members of the public, mainly because of her gender. The media helped propel her to international celebrity status as the subject of sensational headlines. Elizabeth Yates served just one year as Mayor of Onehunga in 1894 but her legacy is seen in the increasing numbers of women entering local and national politics in the New Zealand of the 1990s. Decades ahead of her time (the country did not get its second woman mayor for another 63 years), Elizabeth disavowed feminist banners and claimed she simply wanted to be a good manager in the conduct of the council's business. In this first biography of "the first lady major in the British Empire" author Judith Devaliant provides a fascinating account of the circus atmosphere which developed around the Onehunga Borough Council meetings during Elizabeth's tenure of office, and of the tactics she used to defend herself. This first title in the New Zealand Lives series is not only an engaging portrait of a principled pioneer but a vivid picture of political life in the country in the last years of the 19th century. The New Zealand Lives series features significant men and women from many fields and historical periods. These short biographies are authoritative yet accessible - useful for everyone interested in the colorful panorama of Aotearoa's unique tapestry. - from Amzon