Women -- Suffrage -- History; Women -- Suffrage -- United States -- History; Women's rights -- History; Women's rights -- United States -- History
Mrs. Hoffman's policy was to make a strong appeal to the next
Legislature for the submission of a full suffrage amendment to the
voters. On Dec. 9, 1910, she called her officers and a number of well
known workers to a conference in Topeka and a plan of action was
outlined. A room in the State Historical Department, which through
the courtesy of Geo. W. Martin had been used as legislative
headquarters in other years, was again retained with Mrs. Monroe as
superintendent. Mrs. William A. Johnston, Mrs. Stubbs and Mrs. C. C.
Goddard were appointed a legislative committee. Governor Stubbs had
been re-elected in November, 1910, and in his message to the
Legislature in January he strongly advised the submission. Then the
battle royal for votes opened. The resolution was introduced early in
January. Every legislator was asked by each member of the committee to
vote for it; many of the members' wives were in Topeka and teas,
dinners and receptions became popular, at which the "assisting ladies"
were asked to keep the subject of woman suffrage to the front and in
this way many men and women were interested and educated.
Mrs. Hoffman was a conservative but diligent worker and among her able
assistants were a number of men and women from the colleges and
universities. Mrs. Lillian Mitchner, president of the State W. C. T.
U., was a constant helper. The names of all the valiant workers would
be those of hundreds of Topeka people and hundreds more out in the
"home districts," who used their influence with the legislators, and
those of wives of Senators and Representatives who influenced their
husbands' votes. The State House headquarters was a busy place and a
large amount of work was done there. The amendment resolution was
passed by the votes of the men but it could not have been done without
the careful, well planned work of the women. It was adopted by a large
majority in both Houses and signed by Governor Stubbs Feb. 12, 1911.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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