Congratulations to Aspen Berry (Y12) who took third place in the Lois Middlemiss Memorial Award Poetry Competition and read her poem at the Suffrage Memorial yesterday in front of a crowd of dignitaries.

The organisers, the National Council of Women of New Zealand, were originally only going to have two winning poems but they were so impressed by Aspen's work, they created an extra award.

"You are our future, you are why we all volunteer to fight for gender equality, for a sustainable, diversity inclusive life here in New Zealand where every voice is heard. Thank you - this competition was made stronger and much more fun by having you in it!" Fiona Given - President of the NCW Christchurch Branch.

Aspen's poem is below:

You and I
I patiently sit, 
Not a word shall I speak,
As father approaches, and mother reproaches,
I've been defiant they say,
Not becoming "our way",
That in speaking my thoughts, I'm suddenly naught,
But shame I won't feel,
Not an ounce I'll repeal,
And in accepting my fate, I will not abdicate,
From the role that I have,
In breaking down walls,
That demean and demote, the woman I promote,
For their strength,
And their courage,
And their willing to vote,
On behalf of those broken, or absence of choice,
I will hold my head high,
For you and for I.