Josephine was an American Progressive Era women’s rights leader, suffragist, social reformer, and writer. She was a strong advocate for women and was a leading proponent of legislation that would grant married women property rights. Henry lobbied hard for the adoption of the Kentucky 1894 Married Women’s Property Act, and she is credited for being instrumental in its passage. She was the first woman to campaign publicly for a statewide office in Kentucky. Josephine would later die in 1928, but not without leaving an impact on the world and in the eyes of women.
]]>In the 1800s, Josephine Kirby Henry went outside the boundaries of a typical woman during that time by being a women’s rights leader, writer, and political activist.
Josephine was born on February 22, 1843, into the wealthy Williamson family in Newport, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Captain Euclid Williamson, a Virginian, and Mary Kirby Williamson of Leeds, England. Josephine grew up and married Captain William Henry of Versailles, Kentucky in 1868. Captain William Henry was an eminent scholar and one of the most well-known educators in the South. They resided in Kentucky and became deeply involved in state and local affairs. One year later they welcomed their only son, Fredrick W. Henry. Fredrick was a writer and reporter for the Chicago Inter Ocean Newspaper, where he would later die in a train fire while writing an article.
Josephine was an American Progressive Era women’s rights leader, suffragist, social reformer, and writer. She was a strong advocate for women and was a leading proponent of legislation that would grant married women property rights. Henry lobbied hard for the adoption of the Kentucky 1894 Married Women’s Property Act, and she is credited for being instrumental in its passage. She was the first woman to campaign publicly for a statewide office in Kentucky. Josephine would later die in 1928, but not without leaving an impact on the world and in the eyes of women.
One cause that Emeline was passionate about was her Free Will Baptist religion. Throughout her life, Emeline was a leader who used her talent to support Free Will Baptist causes. She wrote for Morning Star and Little Star and edited Missionary Helper, all Free Will Baptist publications. Emeline also edited The Myrle, a children's periodical, and Town and Country, a temperance periodical.
Emeline lost two of her three sons at very young ages, a daughter at age nineteen, and Luther in 1890. Emeline married Dr. Oren Burbank Cheney, the president of Bates College, on July 5, 1892, and moved to his home in Lewiston, Maine.
A leader in women's causes, she was elected as corresponding secretary of the National Council of Women in 1894. Emeline's colleagues on committees included J. Ellen Foster, Belva Lockwood, and Rev. Anna Howard Shaw. Working with other women, Emeline lent her talent and voice to the Atlanta Exposition in 1895. She spoke about "The Influence of Home and Foreign Mission Work on Women's Development," a topic she knew quite well.
After Oren’s death, Emeline wrote The Story of the Life and Work of Oren B. Cheney: Founder and First President of Bates College, which was published in 1907. She passed away on February 26, 1923, and was buried in Providence’s Swan Point Cemetery.
]]>Emeline S. Burlingame, an editor and evangelist, was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island on September 22, 1836. She grew up in Rhode Island and attended Providence High School and Rhode Island Normal School. Emeline married Luther Rawson Burlingame on November 24, 1859, and raised her family while also writing, editing, and participating in causes she believed in. The family lived in Whitestone, New York in 1865, Dover, New Hampshire in 1870, and Providence, Rhode Island in 1880.
One cause that Emeline was passionate about was her Free Will Baptist religion. Throughout her life, Emeline was a leader who used her talent to support Free Will Baptist causes. She wrote for Morning Star and Little Star and edited Missionary Helper, all Free Will Baptist publications. Emeline also edited The Myrle, a children's periodical, and Town and Country, a temperance periodical.
Emeline lost two of her three sons at very young ages, a daughter at age nineteen, and Luther in 1890. Emeline married Dr. Oren Burbank Cheney, the president of Bates College, on July 5, 1892, and moved to his home in Lewiston, Maine.
A leader in women's causes, she was elected as corresponding secretary of the National Council of Women in 1894. Emeline's colleagues on committees included J. Ellen Foster, Belva Lockwood, and Rev. Anna Howard Shaw. Working with other women, Emeline lent her talent and voice to the Atlanta Exposition in 1895. She spoke about "The Influence of Home and Foreign Mission Work on Women's Development," a topic she knew quite well.
After Oren’s death, Emeline wrote The Story of the Life and Work of Oren B. Cheney: Founder and First President of Bates College, which was published in 1907. She passed away on February 26, 1923, and was buried in Providence’s Swan Point Cemetery.
Clara Barton, a native of North Oxford, MA, is best known as the founder of the American Red Cross. She was born on December 25, 1821, the youngest child of Stephen and Sara Stone Barton. Clara grew up in North Oxford and lived near her cousin, Martha Elvira Stone. When she was young, Clara taught in North Oxford and worked part-time in a cotton mill.
After teaching in North Oxford for many years, she moved to Clinton, NY to enroll in the Clinton Liberal Institute. She opened a school in Bordentown, NJ and later relocated to Washington, D.C. to work at the United States Patent Office. During the Civil War, Clara tended to wounded soldiers after numerous battles. She became known as "The Angel of the Battlefield." When the war was over, she became very involved with The Office of Correspondence with Friends of the Missing Men of the United States Army in Washington, D.C. In 1867, after meeting Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, Clara became involved in working for suffrage.
Later, while in Europe, Clara learned about the International Red Cross and served as part of the relief corps during the Franco-Prussian War. Clara fought to establish the American Red Cross, and in March of 1881, she became the leader of the American Red Cross.
In addition, Clara, Mary Emily Bennett Coues, and others founded the Pro Re Nata women's club in Washington in 1892.
After many years of work with the American Red Cross, Clara resigned in 1904 and formed the National First Aid Association of America.