(1890–1977) Ethel was one of the founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She was elected the sorority’s first vice president and attended the Deltas’ first public event, the Woman Suffrage Parade in Washington, D.C., in March 1913. Prominent suffragist Mary Church Terrell lobbied on behalf of the Deltas to win them a place in the parade, where they were the only African American organization represented.

At Howard University, Ethel was chairwoman of the collegiate chapter of the YWCA. During college, she was also the vice-president of Alpha Kappa Alpha, but later voted to reorganize the sorority and formed Delta Sigma Theta with twenty-one other women. Due to illness she graduated Howard in 1915. Ethel was notably the first African-American teacher in Rochester, NY.

(1845–1930) Elizabeth, known as "Libbie", was described as a very capable woman, interested at all times in the welfare of the community in which she lived.

“Mrs. Blake, who is president of the Women’s Suffrage Society, says there is no law against voting, now, (and) that no inspector can find a statute against receiving the vote of any woman (who) will present one.” Neapolitan Record, 8/19/1885

(1878–1930) Katherine founded the Equal Franchise Society, an independent suffrage organization established in 1908. The Society would be a home for wealthy women who were just then becoming interested in the cause of women’s suffrage. Along with better-known Alva Belmont, Katherine made suffrage safe for prominent society women who had seen the cause as too radical, too feminist, too populist for them.

Mrs. Mackay, as she was known, consulted with leading suffragists like Harriot Stanton Blatch in creating the Equal Franchise Society. Mrs. Mackay recruited a board of serious and capable suffragists (including Blatch), and began funding significant lobbying work in Albany as early as 1910, when few resources for state legislative work existed.

Mrs. Mackay’s upper-crust viewpoint sometimes left her at odds with her own organization, for example when she insisted that the Albany headquarters be a suite at the posh Ten Eyck Hotel, not a storefront on State Street. She was adamantly opposed to the idea of public demonstrations, which many middle-class and upper-class suffragists feared would be seen as rabble rousing. She was deeply dismayed when the Equal Franchise Society board voted to participate in the first large New York City suffrage march, in May 1910. But to her credit, she accepted their decision and even wanted to make sure the Society showed up handsomely, though she herself refused to attend.

Katherine Mackay was massively wealthy. Her lavish Long Island mansion, Harbor Hill, was designed by Stanford White and situated on 648 acres in Roslyn. She devoted time and money to the local community, renovating the public library and serving for five years on the Roslyn school board, in 1905 the first woman ever elected. She sent her daughters to public school, explaining to the newspaper: “If we wish to establish confidence in the public school system, it is necessary for the rich as well as the poor to patronize them. If we draw such caste distinctions as in the past, it is inconsistent to preach the benefits to be derived from government aid in education.”

She sought a divorce in 1914 to marry a doctor she fell in love with when he treated her husband. She lost custody of her children, and was stripped of her American citizenship when she and Dr. Blake moved to Paris. After the war they returned to New York and later divorced. Katherine’s private life was extensively covered in the papers, always in a tone viciously judgmental of her. Bio by Rachel B. Tiven.

(1856–1940) Harriot was the daughter of lawyer, abolitionist, and NYS Senator Henry Brewster Stanton and of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, one of the pre-eminent leaders in the women's rights movement. She was active in women's groups and social reform organizations in England, where she lived with her husband until 1902.

Credited with revitalizing the American women's suffrage movement upon her return to New York, Harriot established the Equality League of Self-Supporting Women, later renamed the Women's Political Union (WPU). The WPU stressed the involvement of working women in the suffrage movement and connected women's rights with trade unionism. Under her leadership the WPU held many outside forums and organized the first of many suffrage parades in 1910. They also testified at legislative hearings, lobbied, and oversaw polling activities.

Harriot was also active in other peace and social justice movements and was a strong advocate for legislation regarding workers' and children's rights.

(1795–1863) William was a dedicated supporter of equal rights for all people.

Born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, William moved to Rochester to join his parents. He and his new wife built and operated a tavern in Brighton. A short time after, William became involved in the temperance movement. His liquor was dumped in the Erie Canal and the building was sold. In the early 1830s, Bloss became involved in the anti-slavery movement.
He worked to establish a local anti-slavery society as well as a statewide convention to address this injustice.

William was a publisher of the Rights of Man newspaper when local papers refused to include anti-slavery articles. He served in the New York State Assembly for three years, advocating for obtaining the vote for people "of color" and for desegregating all public schools.

William also embraced women's rights. He spoke at the Rochester Convention in August of 1848 in support of the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions. In later years, William worked to have the NY death penalty abolished. Social justice was his life's work.

(1873 –1957) Originally from Massachusetts, Sarah entered MIT as one of first females accepted there; she had at one time also been a tutor for Helen Keller. Sarah was active in community groups and had spoken on politics to the Victor Equal Suffrage Association.

If you know more about her, you can help us tell her story. Please use our Add a Suffragist form to submit your information.

(1858–1952) Her obituary reads “World Leader of WCTU dies at 92." Ella was an American temperance leader and social reformer. She served as head of the World's Woman's Christian Temperance Union from 1931 to 1947, after serving as head of the United States' National WCTU.

Following the enfranchisement of women in the United States, Ella decided to run for office herself. In 1920, she unsuccessfully challenged James Wolcott Wadsworth Jr. for the Republican Party nomination for the United States Senate. After losing the nomination, she ran as a candidate for the Prohibition Party against Wadsworth and the Democratic and Socialist Party candidates in the general election. Wadsworth won easily with 52% of the vote, while Boole came in third place with 7% of the vote, not far ahead of the Socialist candidate.

Earlier in her life she had shown great skill as an organizer of new unions, and became vice-president of the New York state union in 1891. After the death of Ella's husband, she was able to support her family through an inheritance from her father and income from her speaking engagements and temperance activities. One of her key activities was in shifting WCTU work away from its emphasis on collecting petitions, and towards direct lobbying of legislators.

Her other causes included supporting legislative changes to bring about social reform, including laws to protect the rights of women and children in industry, the establishment of separate courts and deputies for juvenile offenders, and woman suffrage. As President of the International WCTU, she promoted disarmament, the end of the international illicit drug trade, and supported international women's rights.

(1869–1942) Helen was a prominent figure in the Woman's National Republican Association and the General Federation of Womens' Clubs. Helen was a suffrage leader and founder and president of the Women's Forum of New York for 30 years. She was the protege of J. Ellen Foster. Foster founded the Woman's National Republican Association (WRNA) around 1888 and served as the organizations first president. While Foster focused on supporting Republican candidates, Helen supervised advocating for women working in factories and shops.

Helen obtained a law degree from the Washington College of Law in 1902. In 1910 Foster died and Boswell became president of the Woman's National Republican Association. She took over the responsibilities of campaigning for Republican candidates. Additionally she served as a delegate to the Republican National Conventions from 1920 through 1932.

Helen was a member of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. She was included in the publication Woman's Who's Who of America, 1914–15 and the 1922 publication The History of Woman Suffrage.

(1859–1949) Anna May was active in her Universalist Church as well as the Victor Equal Suffrage Association. Her second husband, Brown, worked for Frank Cobb, owner of Cobb Drug Store, who was an active suffrage participant as well.

If you know more about Anna May, you can help us tell her story. Please use our Add a Suffragist form to submit your information.

(1859–1925) Political Equality Club of Glens Falls met regularly at Margaret's home from 1914-1917 as her daughter Katharine Bowden held a number of elected positions within the club. A headline from that time reads: "Equality Club’s Society Event - Mrs. H. A. Bowden Generously Donates the Use of Her Home for the Occasion".

"The first society event given under the auspices of the Political Equality club took place Saturday afternoon in the home of Mrs. [Margaret] Bowden, Maple street, and proved a brilliant affair. Spring flowers were used throughout the house decorations, which were most effective. There were twenty-five tables of auction and five hundred in play... Ice Cream and cake was served. The proceeds amounted to $60, which will be used to carry on the work of the club. The members are exceedingly grateful to Mrs. Bowden, who made the party possible by loaning the use of her home for the occasion and furnishing the refreshments." Post-Star (Glens Falls, NY Warren County). May 4, 1914. P.5. Bio by Tisha Dolton.

(1846–1930) Attended a Women's Rights Convention in 1948 at the Unitarian Church, Victor, NY with other "prominent and respectable" community women.

If you know more about her, you can help us tell her story. Please use our Add a Suffragist form to submit your information.

(1875–1964) Inez became well known throughout the Ilion community for her efforts in presiding over meetings of the Ilion Suffrage Study Club in the early 1900s. She was elected treasurer at the Herkimer County Suffrage Convention in 1917 and delivered the town report for Ilion at that meeting.

Aside from her role as President in the SSC, not much is known. If you know more about her, you can help us tell her story. Please use our Add a Suffragist form to submit your information.

(1851–1941) Anneliza was a child of ten when the Civil War began and later in life recalled her childhood, as a flurry of excitement in during the abolition period.

Anneliza married Zachary Briggs and had three children. In January 1906, she was 55 years old when she joined the Honeoye Political Equality Club which was just formed with only a dozen members – all women. Local political equality clubs were established across the nation to highlight the need for women’s political and public parity. Dedicated women strove to bring attention to the issue of women’s suffrage through education, political action, and social reform. Three years after joining the Political Equality Club, Anneliza was elected treasurer of the Club, and was sent as a delegate to the County Convention in Phelps. Anneliza died in her home one week before her ninetieth birthday.

(1893–1969) Katherine became very involved with the woman suffrage movement and supported the National Woman's Party. On November 10, 1917, she was arrested and, after refusing to pay a fine, sentenced to prison in the Occoquan Workhouse. During this time, she and many others challenged the notion of inequality through participation in hunger strikes. After women won the right to vote, Katherine campaigned for Anne Martin, a candidate for the United States Senate from Nevada. She then seems to disappear from the historical record.

(1872–1956) During her time as the lead soprano soloist at St. Mark's M.E. church, Minnie was dubbed the "human mockingbird." The Empire State Federation (Suffragist) Member sang "By The Waters of Babylon" to eulogize the death of Harriet Tubman. Minnie founded the Musical School Settlement for Colored Children in Harlem and helped organize black musicians, serving as the president of the local musicians' branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians.

(1871–1956) Frances was born in East Bloomfield, NY and served as a local school teacher in 1894. She was an original member of the Fortnightly Club of East Bloomfield, which was founded in 1896. Fortnightly clubs were organized to bring together women for intellectual pursuits and community service. From 1898 to 1909, Frances was the assistant editor of the Ontario County Times Journal. In 1915, she wrote a suffrage farce entitled “Sam’s Surrender,” which was performed in several Upstate NY communities to raise funds in support of suffrage work.

If you know more about Frances, you can help us tell her story. Please use our Add a Suffragist form to submit your information.

(1879–1966) Lucy was raised in Brooklyn, New York to parents who were in unconventionally in favor of educating all of their children, including their daughters so Lucy received the best possible schooling, graduating from Vassar in 1902 and attending Yale graduate school.

From 1906-08, Lucy studied in Germany, returning to teach in the Brooklyn Public School system. Three years later she went to England to resume study at Oxford University and became involved with the militant activism for the women’s suffrage movement that was gaining popularity in Europe. Her dedication was such that she was given an award from the Parkhurst’s Women’s Social and Political union.

While in England, Lucy met with fellow American and suffragist Alice Paul and they both returned to the United States together to fight for the women’s right to vote in America. In 1912 the women began their battle by actively organizing protests and speaking out to the press about the right for women to vote. In 1913 they formed the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage, which organized a 5,000-woman march in Washington on the inaugural day of President Woodrow Wilson.

By 1915 the women had branched off and formed their own group - the National Women’s Party - and continued the fight for the vote. Burns spent time in various courthouses and jails during her career, but her most famous stint was that which occurred after picketing the White House in 1917 that got her and her party members (including Paul) locked up in the Occoquan Workhouse. Paul and Stone organized a 19-day hunger strike. Both women endured beatings and force feedings but stayed the course and served their sentence. With six arrests and numerous detainments, Lucy Burns spent more time in jail for the women’s suffrage than any other woman at the time. Alice Paul spoke of her tireless dedication by describing her friend as “a thousand times more valiant than I."

Lucy was considered the literary power behind the group and edited the “Suffragette” newspaper and along with Paul made speeches that forced even those who opposed them to listen. In her book “Jailed for Freedom” a biography of the movement for women’s suffrage, author Doris Stevens writes, "Her talent as an orator is of the kind that makes for instant intimacy with her audience." After the women’s right to vote was granted in 1920 Lucy retired from the political activism scene and moved back to Brooklyn to live with her family. Brooklyn’s “Lucy Burns Activist Award” is given annually in her honor to those who continue to make a difference in the world of Women’s rights. Dubbed along with Paul and several other members of the NWP as an "Iron Jawed Angel" her character was portrayed in the HBO production of the same name. (Bio excerpted from: R. Digati)

(1853–1922) Roxana assumed the presidency of the Lucy Stone Club and in 1904 was elected vice president of the Allegany County Political Equality Club, a county-wide organization devoted to the passage of woman suffrage and affiliated with the New York State Woman Suffrage Association (NYSWSA).

In 1907 Roxana was elected president of the Political Equality Club and would lead the county suffrage organization until the passage of the suffrage amendment in 1917. She served as recording secretary and Chair of the Legislative Committee for NYSWSA in 1910 and 1911. Roxana became the Assembly District Leader covering all of Allegany County when the Political Equality Club reorganized into the Allegany County Woman Suffrage Party (ACWSP) before the 1915 state-wide woman suffrage referendum. In June 1917, she announced at the annual ACWSP convention that there was a chairman in each election district and an enrollment of 5,000 women in force of suffrage in the county, an impressive number given that there were a little over 40,000 inhabitants in the county at the time.

Roxana was a member of the Andover Baptist Church, the Andover Hawthorne Club and active in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. She also served on the Allegany County Republican General Committee from 1920 until her death. *courtesy alexanderstreet.com

(1859–1937) Emily was an active member of the suffrage movement. She won a first prize for the best parade hat from the Women's Political Union in 1913 and served as the treasurer of the Co-operative Service League for Woman Suffrage in New York City. She was arrested with two dozen other suffragists of the National Woman's Party on November 10, 1917 during a picketing of the White House. Charged with obstructing traffic, the women were tried and convicted. When Emily, like the others, refused to pay the fine, she was sentenced to thirty days in the Occoquan Workhouse. The arrival of this group of prisoners on November 14 precipitated the infamous Night of Terror.

According to Inez Haynes Irwin's account, Emily, for some capricious reason, was taken away from the rest, and placed in a part of the jail where there were only men. They told her that she was alone with the men, and that they could do what they pleased with her. Her Night of Terror was doubly terrifying with this menace hanging over her. No doubt in part due to this harassment as well as the poor conditions, Emily, along with two others in poor health, was released early.

Emily was involved in civic work in addition to suffrage work. She was a member of the Woman's Municipal League, which was an organization involved in improving the city of New York as well as providing charity for the poor and less fortunate. Married to an Englishman, Henry Butterworth, the couple lived in Manhattan with her companion, Cora Weeks, who was also a member in the suffrage movement. (Courtesy alexanderstreet.com)

(1883–1943) As part of her advocacy for women's suffrage, Grace held membership in the Northeastern Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, an umbrella organization for fifty-five black women's clubs across the region. The federation supported anti-lynching advocacy, the work of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), child welfare, and sent $20 per month to help support Harriet Tubman and her old folks' home in Auburn, NY.

The Federation formally adopted a woman suffrage resolution and sought membership in the National American Woman Suffrage Association. NAWSA denied the request for fear of losing the support of southern women. Grace often spoke at these kinds of meetings and at other political gatherings.

Grace, a socialist, is most well-known for her campaigns for the New York State Assembly in 1919 and 1920, as she became the first woman of color to run for a New York state-level public office. Grace cofounded the 21st Assembly branch of the Socialist Party, and became one of the three first African American members.