The battle is not yet over for the champion of women, children and the poor.

It was dramatically evident at the unveiling of a statue of pioneering politician Dame Hilda Ross that the social equity she fought for throughout her career is still a long way from being realized.

As the region’s political and social elite, all dressed in their finery, politely sat in rows of white plastic chairs in Hamilton’s Garden Place on Saturday and listened to speeches, opera singers and school choirs, on the sidelines of the crowd, some of those who could be described as the victims of society – the damaged, the sick and the impoverished – weathered and wandering.

His constant presence on the sidelines of the event gave the formalities an added irreverent sideshow. Given the role of the woman who is honored, the attendance of the street people was strangely appropriate and, although not invited, not entirely unpleasant.

At one point after the unveiling took place, a street dweller boldly approached and, even as his descendants gathered for a photo, placed a black and white scarf around the statue’s neck.

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It was a gesture politely tolerated by those crowding around and, although the man was not reprimanded for his actions, the scarf with the words “New Zealand” was removed shortly after.

Ross was the first woman from Hamilton to be elected to Parliament and, five years later, the second woman in New Zealand to be appointed minister. In addition to standing up for the rights of those affected by poverty, she was a strong advocate for children and women, and it was for these roles that most of those who made speeches on Saturday paid tribute.

Among them were two former politicians who, during their own careers in Parliament, forged their own paths: Dame Marilyn Waring, who at age 23 in 1975 became the youngest MP in the country and challenged then-Prime Minister Robert Muldoon. by nuclear policies. ; and Georgina Beyer, the world’s first transgender MP. They both praised Ross as an inspiration for their own achievements.

Beyer, in particular, emphasized that much of Ross’s work had been left unfinished.

“The more things change, the more they stay the same. Come on New Zealand, let’s get the women’s legacy we celebrate today confirmed for the future. “

Also present were MPs Louisa Wall, Jamie Strange, Gurav Sharma and David Bennett and dozens of other current and former politicians. Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate and former Mayor Margaret Evans, now a prominent figure at the Theater of the Impossible Trust, the entity behind the statue project, also spoke to the crowd about Ross’ life and accomplishments.

Evans also emphasized that the issues Ross was concerned about were equally relevant today.

“She was passionate about improving education and well-being, making sure children ate properly through school food programs, reducing violence against women and children, leading healthy lives and solving poverty.

“I had great confidence in the ability of women to progress and get things done and to skillfully fill positions that were previously reserved for men. The fact that today’s prime minister and opposition leader are women and that more than half of the country’s new MPs are women, a new record, would have thrilled her. “

Ross’s sculpture, created by Matt Gauldie, shows her holding a copy of the 1919 Act that allowed women to stand for Parliament.

As another guest speaker, Associate Professor Jenny Coleman read details to the crowd from Ross’s Maid Street to Parliament, laying out her aspirations and goals.

He achieved them in the form of “a life of service to the people of New Zealand … He was and continues to be an example and an inspiration.

“And there it is,” Evans declared as Southgate, Waring, Beyer and Coleman together unzipped the purple shroud around the sculpture, unleashing applause from the crowd.

Ross died in 1959. An estimated 10,000 people lined the streets of Hamilton on the day of his funeral and large crowds visited his grave.

Her long history of community service began before she was elected as the first elected councilwoman to the then Hamilton City Council, and included volunteer teaching and co-founding Waikato children’s health camps.