Women’s Bookshop Makes A Move To Meet Demand (Press, 4 August 1986)

On 4 August 1986, the Kate Sheppard Bookshop in Christchurch, which focuses on books by and for women, celebrated its growth and success after facing numerous challenges since its inception four years prior. Initially opened by a group that included a nurse, a teacher, and a librarian, the shop struggled in its first year due to the owners' lack of experience in the book trade and the community's slow discovery of the store. However, the enterprise has flourished, prompting a move from High St to a larger location at 145 Manchester St, making it the only women's bookshop in the South Island following the closure of a similar shop in Dunedin in 1982. The shop is notable for attracting a diverse clientele, including many men interested in women's issues, and recently received support from a men’s consciousness-raising group to assist with its move. The new premises, formerly Easts Bookshop, boasts three times the space of the original location, allowing for a broader inventory that includes magazines, stationery, cards, New Zealand-made pottery, jewellery, and a robust collection of works by New Zealand women authors. The owners expressed enthusiasm for expanding their range to include more materials from Māori women writers. They shared a humorous anecdote about a mix-up with a customer who mistakenly requested a book titled "Raspberry Forest," which turned out to be a confusing reference to "Rubyfruit Jungle" by Rita May Brown. In addition to the bookshop's news, an upcoming exhibition featuring quilted and patchwork items from across New Zealand will take place at the Centre Gallery in the Arts Centre on 8 to 10 August. This exhibition, showcasing works by various quilting tutors including the Australian quiltmaker Joan McKenzie, will offer items for sale, including clothing, quilts, and rare antique pieces. The event aims to raise funds for the second New Zealand National Quilt Symposium scheduled for Christchurch in February 1987, which will feature several international tutors. Another report highlighted a Christian women’s project named "Empower," which focuses on helping Thai women and children escape prostitution. The initiative is backed by church organisations and aims to address the needs identified by its beneficiaries directly. Further, a new anti-smoking play titled "Too Young to be Old," written by Canterbury University’s writer in residence Rachael McAlpine, is set to premiere at the Cracroft Community Centre. Targeting older secondary school students, it aims to deliver a serious message within a comedic framework. Finally, a course exploring women’s sexuality will be offered by the Family Planning Association, with sessions on 15 and 16 August, alongside discussions about "ageism" in children's literature, a topic to be presented by Dr Wendy Low at an upcoming meeting of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Association of Gerontology. Overall, these events reflect a vibrant community engagement focused on women's issues, health, and education in Christchurch.

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