Women -- Suffrage -- History; Women -- Suffrage -- United States -- History; Women's rights -- History; Women's rights -- United States -- History
With the winning of this old, wealthy and influential State the entire
movement for woman suffrage passed the crisis and victory in the
remaining western States was sure to be a matter of a comparatively
short time. As soon as the result was certain Mrs. Watson, the State
president; Mrs. Sperry and Miss Whitney, representing Northern, and
Mr. and Mrs. Braly, Mrs. Ringrose and Mrs. French, Southern
California, went to Louisville, Ky., to carry the report to the
convention of the National Association, of which this State had
forty-five life members, more than any other except New York.
No State convention had been held in 1911 but one was called to meet
in San Francisco in January, 1912, and it was decided to maintain the
State association to assist the work in neighboring States. Mrs.
William Keith was made president and the officers and executive
committee held all day monthly meetings in her home for several years.
After the National League of Women Voters was formed in 1919, when
Congress was about to submit the Federal Suffrage Amendment, a meeting
was held on Feb. 12, 1920, and a California branch was formed with
Mrs. Robert J. Burdette as chairman.
* * * * *
The demand of the newly enfranchised women for guidance and knowledge
was met at once by the College League, which reorganized in November,
1911, and became the California Civic League for social service,
education for citizenship and the promotion of just legislation. The
excellent work of Miss Charlotte Anita Whitney was recognized by
continuing her as president of the new league from 1911 to 1914. It is
composed of about twenty-five centers in the cities and towns of
Northern California, with a membership of nearly 4,000 and many
centers wield a strong influence in municipal affairs.
The Women's Legislative Council of California was organized in
December, 1912, the outgrowth of the Legislative Committee of the
State Federation of Women's Clubs. This council, which is
non-sectarian, non-partisan and non-political, is in reality a Central
Committee of State, county and some local organizations--about sixty
in all--representing a membership of over 100,000 women. Its purpose
is to coordinate the efforts and concentrate the influence of women's
organizations behind a legislative program, especially for the benefit
of women and children. A list of at least thirty excellent laws since
the enfranchisement of women have been either directly sponsored by
this council or greatly aided by the efforts of women.[18]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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