Suffragists in Virginia
Pauline Forstall Colclough Adams, Norfolk, picketed Wilson’s White House in 1917, arrested, tried, sentenced, and incarcerated. “Prison Special” train tour speaker.
Lillie Mary Barbour, Roanoke, an early suffragist influential in getting labor unions to endorse suffrage at the state level, a member of the United Garment Workers of America said “the ballot in our hands is the only thing to help us”. She also worked to establish a women’s college at the University of Virginia.
Edmonia Carter Powers Barksdale, Richmond, founding member of the Equal Suffrage League and president of the Equal Suffrage League of Greenwood in Albemarle County. She spoke to the Privileges and Election Committee of the House of Delegates for woman suffrage.
Janie Porter Barrett, Hampton, set up her home as a Social Settlement House for Black Virginians, first President of the Virginia Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, chaired the National Association of Colored Women’s Executive Board 1924-28
Kate Waller Barrett, Alexandria, co-founder of the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia
Anna Whitehead Bodeker, Richmond, founded the Virginia State Woman Suffrage Association in 1870
Kate Langley Bosher, Richmond, co-founded the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia
Jimmie Bugg, Lynchburg, marched in 1913 parade in Washington, D.C., with Mary Church Terrell and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority of Howard University under there banner in college section
Jane Rhea Bailey Byars, Norfolk and Bristol, (15 December 1872–9 September 1948) elected second vice president of the Merrimac branch of the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia when it was organized with thirty-six members on 17 January 1913, later merging with the Norfolk league in May 1915. In Bristol she was president of the Equal Suffrage League of Bristol from May 1915 until at least November 1916.
Adele Clark, Richmond, co-founded the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia
Mary Ellen Pollard Clarke, Richmond, worked at Equal Suffrage League headquarters and editor-in-chief of their newsletter. She wrote the text for leaflet “Equal Suffrage and the Negro Vote” which suffragists promoted to combat the charge that woman suffrage would upset white supremacy.
Edith Clark Cowles, Richmond, sister of Adele Clark, attended early meetings that led to the founding of the Equal Suffrage League. She frequently wrote letters to the editors of Virginia newspapers, many on women’s rights, including one on why women are well able to become doctors. She became the Executive Director of the ESL, lobbied Virginia Congressmen for the suffrage amendment, and continued writing and advocating for women and children.
Janet Stuart Oldershaw Durham, Richmond, member of the Equal Suffrage League ran for public office but failed to win the Democratic nomination.
Janetta R. FitzHugh, Fredericksburg, socially and politically prominent (brother in law on Virginia Supreme Court), contributed books to the League reading room, served as first president of the Equal Suffrage League of Fredericksburg. She marched with 100 other Virginians in the 1913 Suffrage Parade.
Ellen Glasgow, Richmond, co-founded the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia
Nora Houston, Richmond, co-founded the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia
Elizabeth Aymar Cooke Hull, Norfolk, active in the Norfolk branch of the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia, serving as its president. She lobbied the Norfolk representatives in the General Assembly for the suffrage amendment.
Addie Waites Hunton, Norfolk, Norfolk native, attended the founding convention of the National Association of Colored Women in 1895. She continued her broad civic activism in New York.
Maude Jamison, Norfolk, Picketed the White House in 1917, arrested, tried, sentenced, and incarcerated
Julia Somerville Jennings, Richmond, Virginia Congressional Union membership chair, attended the convention and voted to establish the National Woman’s Party. Picketed with Silent Sentinels.
Mary Eugenia Benson Jobson, Richmond, conducted interviews with members of the 1920 General Assembly in a systematic canvass by the ESL. She served as assistant registrar to help register women.
Mary Johnston, Richmond, co-founded the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia
Emma Virginia Lee Kelley, Norfolk, “Mother Kelley” the most well respected African American woman in the southeast, denied registration because of the claim to answer a question incorrectly, sued the registrar, who gave a wrong answer himself in court. She founded the Daughters of the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and established many of its temple in the country.
Ellen Gertrude Tompkins Kidd, Richmond, already nationally famous owner of a pickling business, with other business women was active in the suffrage movement, serving as treasurer of the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia, gave talks and helped found local leagues.
Fannie Stratton Bayley King, Staunton, one of the most influential women in Stanton and a civic activist was president of the Virginia Federation of Women’s Clubs. When it met in Staunton she urged but failed to gain the Federation’s endorsement of woman suffrage. She spoke on suffrage to the Working Men’s Fraternal Organization, and was received politely but failed to win support. With other leaders she lobbied Governor Stuart to endorse woman suffrage. After suffrage, she was instrumental in major reforms for women and children in Virginia.
Orra Gray Langhorne, Lynchburg, attempted to revive the Virginia suffrage issue during the 1890s
Mary Lockwood, Arlington, founded the Arlington branch of the Equal Suffrage League in 1912, then joined the National Woman’s Party serving as treasurer and organizing its local branch, marched in suffrage parades in D.C. and New York, organized events and marches in D.C. and Virginia, hosted fundraisers, and lobbied federal legislators
Lucy Randolph Mason, Richmond, joined the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia to advocate voting rights for women. She served as president of the Richmond ESL chapter and later of the Richmond League of Women Voters. Through her work for the Richmond YWCA, Mason developed programs to aid white and African American women and became involved in labor issues, advocating legislation to improve working conditions for women and children.
Sarah Mason Sandridge Matthews, Norfolk and Charlottesville, a teacher, she was recording secretary for the Norfolk chapter of the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia, chaired the Norfolk ESL’s press committee in 1917, and served as First Vice President in 1919.
Marianne Everard Meade, Richmond, among the founding members of the Virginia Equal Suffrage League, much of her work was behind the scenes.
Nell Mercer, Norfolk, member of Virginia Beach NWP, participated in Watch fire demonstrations in February 1919, jailed for five days
Sophie Meredith, (born in Mass.), Richmond, in 1909 Sophie Meredith and other wealthy female activists founded the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia
Kate Noble Pleasants Minor, Richmond, and established civic activist, she joined the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia, served on its child labor committee, joined the Richmond Equal Suffrage League and served on its executive council in 1918.
Faith Walcott Morgan, Hampton, president of the Newport News League helped organize leagues in her area and on the Eastern Shore and southeastern region. Also president of Virginia ESL. She marched in 1913 Suffrage Parade, and stepped hard on a hecklers foot. She traveled the state speaking in small groups and asking for signatures of support, collecting 1200 in the Hampton area alone.
Mary-Cooke Branch Munford, Richmond, a major activist for higher education of women in Virginia and a member of the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia and of its Richmond chapter. She had a prominent place on the program of the League’s 1919 state convention. She spoke in one session featured a series of short lectures under the general theme, “Concerning Woman Suffrage—What Is the Matter with Virginia?”
Josephine B. Mathews Norcom, Portsmouth, teacher and mem. ber of the National Association of Colored Women and its resolutions committee, which called on Congress to pass the suffrage amendment. She founded the Virginia State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs. After service on the board of the Virginia Industrial School for Colored Girls, she went on to work with the YWCA in Ohio and Michigan. Camp Norcom for African American girls is in Dexter, Michigan.
Elizabeth Dabney Langhorne Lewis Otey, Lynchburg, well educated, with a doctorate in Economics from Univerysity of Berlin, worked and published at the US Labor Department, joined the suffrage campaign with her mother, Elizabeth Lewis, helped found the Equal Suffrage League at Randolph College, edited Lynchburg Woman’s Suffrage News, marched in the 1913 Suffrage Parade with her mother and over 100 from all over Virginia, elected superintendent of public instruction, and was a founding officer of the Congressional Union.
Millie Lawson Bethell Paxton, Roanoke, president of the Republican Women’s Club of Roanoke, and was an active member or leader of nearly every African American women’s organization in Roanoke, and officer of the Virginia State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs.
Mary Elizabeth Pidgeon, Clarke County, having worked on successful state campaigns in New York and North Dakota, sent to her native Virginia by NAWSA, she enrolled over 1000 supporters around the state. Wrote analyses of supporters and Virginia legislators; interviewed legislators, in 1919-1926 directed the 3-day School of Citizenship at UVA to educate future women voters.
Betty Ellison Withers Putney, Wytheville, founded a Women’s Club there with the hope of recruiting members to form an Equal Suffrage League there, but it was a difficult. Ultimately, she founded and was president of the Equal Suffrage League of Wytheville.
Agnes Dillon Randolph, Richmond, a leader in nursing training was known for her health advocacy at the state level, with other Equal Suffrage League members spoke in support of the suffrage amendment to the Committee on Privileges and Elections of the House of Delegates.
Eudora Woolfolk Ramsay Richardson, Richmond, field organizer for NAWSA in Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, New York, and Maine. In Pennsylvania all of her 10 counties went for suffrage. In Virginia, she established 17 leagues, reorganized 7, traveling the state.
Sally Berkley Nelson Robins, Richmond, involved in Virginia history, she joined the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia, was a vice president of the Equal Suffrage League’s Richmond chapter from 1916 to 1918, and a contributor to the short-lived Virginia Suffrage News in 1914. With other lobbied Governor Stuart for suffrage.
Ora E. Brown Stokes, Richmond, explained to the Virginia State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs that the women’s vote was essential to their desired reforms, e.g., voter registration for women. Founded the National Protective League for Negro Girls. Engaged in formal support for African American soldiers of WWI stationed near Richmond, and served as state president of the Negro Women Voters League of Virginia.
Alice B. Overbey Taylor, Richmond, Executive Secretary and headquarters manager of the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia, she wrote letters in newspapers and with her own money published three issues of Virginia Suffrage News, before falling ill.
Lucinda Lee Terry, Roanoke, a member of the Roanoke City Equal Suffrage League, with Annie Whitner was able to persuade one Delegate of Roanoke to support suffrage.
Ida Mae Thompson, Richmond, she led and carried out much of the headquarters administrative work and was secretary, keeping it running smoothly. After suffrage she easily transitioned to the League of Women Voters and was instrumental in preserving the records of the Virginia Equal Suffrage campaign.
Jessie Fremont Easton Townsend, Norfolk, one of Lila Valentine’s most trusted allies, she provided very detailed reports of Norfolk activity, presided at the founding meeting of the Virginia League of Women Voters and helped write its constitution. She remained a civic activist.
Lila Meade Valentine, Richmond, led Equal Suffrage League of Virginia, led march of 200 suffragists to Governor’s office, including great, great-granddaughters of Thomas Jefferson and George Mason
Maggie Lena Walker, Richmond, suffragist and owner of the Penny Savings Bank
Josephine B. Mathews Norcom, Portsmouth, teacher and mem. ber of the National Association of Colored Women and its resolutions committee, which called on Congress to pass the suffrage amendment. She founded the Virginia State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs. After service on the board of the Virginia Industrial School for Colored Girls, she went on to work with the YWCA in Ohio and Michigan. Camp Norcom for African American girls is in Dexter, Michigan.
Elizabeth Dabney Langhorne Lewis Otey, Lynchburg, well educated, with a doctorate in Economics from Univerysity of Berlin, worked and published at the US Labor Department, joined the suffrage campaign with her mother, Elizabeth Lewis, helped found the Equal Suffrage League at Randolph College, edited Lynchburg Woman’s Suffrage News, marched in the 1913 Suffrage Parade with her mother and over 100 from all over Virginia, elected superintendent of public instruction, and was a founding officer of the Congressional Union.
Millie Lawson Bethell Paxton, Roanoke, president of the Republican Women’s Club of Roanoke, and was an active member or leader of nearly every African American women’s organization in Roanoke, and officer of the Virginia State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs.
Mary Elizabeth Pidgeon, Clarke County, having worked on successful state campaigns in New York and North Dakota, sent to her native Virginia by NAWSA, she enrolled over 1000 supporters around the state. Wrote analyses of supporters and Virginia legislators; interviewed legislators, in 1919-1926 directed the 3-day School of Citizenship at UVA to educate future women voters.
Betty Ellison Withers Putney, Wytheville, founded a Women’s Club there with the hope of recruiting members to form an Equal Suffrage League there, but it was a difficult. Ultimately, she founded and was president of the Equal Suffrage League of Wytheville.
Agnes Dillon Randolph, Richmond, a leader in nursing training was known for her health advocacy at the state level, with other Equal Suffrage League members spoke in support of the suffrage amendment to the Committee on Privileges and Elections of the House of Delegates.
Eudora Woolfolk Ramsay Richardson, Richmond, field organizer for NAWSA in Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, New York, and Maine. In Pennsylvania all of her 10 counties went for suffrage. In Virginia, she established 17 leagues, reorganized 7, traveling the state.
Sally Berkley Nelson Robins, Richmond, involved in Virginia history, she joined the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia, was a vice president of the Equal Suffrage League’s Richmond chapter from 1916 to 1918, and a contributor to the short-lived Virginia Suffrage News in 1914. With other lobbied Governor Stuart for suffrage.
Ora E. Brown Stokes, Richmond, explained to the Virginia State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs that the women’s vote was essential to their desired reforms, e.g., voter registration for women. Founded the National Protective League for Negro Girls. Engaged in formal support for African American soldiers of WWI stationed near Richmond, and served as state president of the Negro Women Voters League of Virginia.
Alice B. Overbey Taylor, Richmond, Executive Secretary and headquarters manager of the Equal Suffrage League of Virginia, she wrote letters in newspapers and with her own money published three issues of Virginia Suffrage News, before falling ill.
Lucinda Lee Terry, Roanoke, a member of the Roanoke City Equal Suffrage League, with Annie Whitner was able to persuade one Delegate of Roanoke to support suffrage.
Ida Mae Thompson, Richmond, she led and carried out much of the headquarters administrative work and was secretary, keeping it running smoothly. After suffrage she easily transitioned to the League of Women Voters and was instrumental in preserving the records of the Virginia Equal Suffrage campaign.
Jessie Fremont Easton Townsend, Norfolk, one of Lila Valentine’s most trusted allies, she provided very detailed reports of Norfolk activity, presided at the founding meeting of the Virginia League of Women Voters and helped write its constitution. She remained a civic activist.
Lila Meade Valentine, Richmond, led Equal Suffrage League of Virginia, giving speeches and organizing local leagues across the state, led march of 200 suffragists to Governor’s office, including great, great-granddaughters of Thomas Jefferson and George Mason
Maggie Lena Walker, Richmond, suffragist and owner of the Penny Savings Bank
Roberta Wellford, Richmond and Charlottesville, with Elizabeth Lewis spoke at the Rappahannock County Courthouse in Washington, Virginia, and organized a new 10-member Equal Suffragist League there. She spoke and organized when available throughout.
Annie S. Barna Whitner, Roanoke, active member of the Roanoke City Equal Suffrage League; she addressed the Virginia Republican Convention’s Resolutions Committee when the Virginia Party endorsed suffrage.
Louise Price Collier Wilcox, Norfolk, spoke with Anna Howard Shaw at the organizing meeting of the Equal Suffrage League of Norfolk, well educated, wrote and published many articles nationally on a variety of topics, edited manuscripts for several publishers, and helped Ellen Glasgow publish her first novel.
Sarah Blair Harvie Wormeley, Richmond, served as assistant registrar in the City of Richmond where it was easier than elsewhere for women to register. Registrars is several counties resigned rather than register women to vote.
Eugenie Macon Yancy, Bedford, social and civic leader in Bedford, marched in the 1913 Suffrage Parade, attempted to run as Democratic Party nominee for Delegate from Bedford.