Sheppard became involved in establishing a Christchurch branch of the WCTU prior to the formation of a national organisation.[22][23] Her initial involvement was promoting petitions to Parliament to prevent women being employed as barmaids, and to outlaw the sale of alcohol to children. This marked the beginning of her collaborations with Alfred Saunders, who advised her on her negotiations with politicians and who wrote to the Premier, Sir Robert Stout, seeking to further her campaign. The petitions against barmaids (including some from other parts of the country) were rejected by the Petitions Committee of Parliament later in 1885[18] and Sheppard decided that as petitions could be ineffective, women's franchise was necessary.[24]