A number of able speakers have addressed the Legislature or canvassed the State from time to time, including Miss Susan B. Anthony and the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, president and vicepresident of the National Association; Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, chairman of the national organization committee; Henry B. Blackwell, editor of the Woman’s Journal; Mrs. Charlotte Perkins Stetson of New York, Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford of Colorado, Miss Elizabeth Upham Yates of Maine, and Miss Laura A. Gregg of Kansas; Judge William N. Ashman, Miss Matilda Hindman, Miss Boyer, Mrs. Blankenburg and Miss Jane Campbell, president of the Philadelphia society.[1]
The latter is the largest and most influential suffrage society in the State. Previously to 1892 the Philadelphians who were identified with the movement belonged to the Pennsylvania association. In the fall of this year it was decided to make it a delegate body, and as that meant barring out individual memberships, the Philadelphia members formed a county organization. Miss Grew was invited to lead the new society, but feeling unable to perform the necessary duties she accepted only the honorary presidency. It was, however, largely owing to her counsel and influence that so successful a beginning was made. After her death in 1896 the office of honorary president was abolished.
The first president of this society was Miss Campbell, who has been annually re-elected. The club has quadrupled its membership in the eight years of its existence, counting only those who pay their yearly dues, and has now 400 members. It has worked in many directions; distributed large quantities of literature; has sent speakers to organizations of women; fostered debates among the young people of various churches and Young Men’s Literary Societies by offering prizes to those successful on the side of woman suffrage; held public meetings in different parts of the city, which includes the whole county; assisted largely in the national press work, and always lent a generous hand to the enterprises of the National Association.[2]
- ↑ For an account of the Citizens’ Suffrage Association, Edward M. Davis, president, see Vol. III, p. 461.
- ↑ At the annual meeting of October, 1900, the following were elected: President, Miss Jane Campbell; vice-presidents, Miss Eliza Heacock and Miss Elizabeth Dornan; corresponding secretary, Miss Katherine J. Campbell; recording secretary, Mrs. Olive Pond Amies; treasurer, Mrs. Mary F. Kenderdine. Sixteen delegates were elected to represent the society at the State convention.
