rattray née fenton was born on 22 march 1855 in dunedin, otago, new zealand to mary lister and archdeacon john albert fenton. her family returned to europe for the children's education. after their return to new zealand lizzie married william rattray a prosperous auckland draper. after initial interest in charity work for the st john ambulance, lizzie moved on to suffrage and other feminist causes, using her position as a journalist to get her message heard. writing for the "gentlewoman" and the "new zealand graphic" she wrote about employment, education and the franchise. she was elected to the women's franchise league and instrumental in opening membership to men.