Bertha G. Higgins facts for kids

Bertha Grant Higgins (born Dillard; November 18, 1872 – December 30, 1944) was an important American woman who fought for equal rights. She was a suffragist, which means she worked hard to get women the right to vote. She also worked as a civil rights activist, fighting for fair treatment for all people, especially African Americans. Bertha was also a clubwoman, meaning she was part of groups that worked to improve society. She was very active in Rhode Island, helping women get the right to vote and supporting the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill, which aimed to stop violence against Black people.

Early Life and Family

Bertha Grant Dillard was born on November 18, 1872, in Danville, Virginia. Before she got married, she studied fashion design in big cities like London and Paris.

In 1887, she married her first husband, Walker C. Thomas. They moved to Jersey City, New Jersey. After he passed away in 1897, she married Dr. William H. Higgins the next year. They moved to Manhattan, where Bertha worked as a seamstress. In 1903, the couple moved to Providence, Rhode Island.

Bertha had one daughter named Prudence in 1913. She also helped raise her younger sister, Chesta Dillard Dean, who later became a successful pharmacist. While living in Providence, Bertha was a homemaker and got involved in her community. In 1907, she worked with other Black women to ask the mayor and school to hire a Black teacher.

Fighting for Women's Right to Vote

Bertha Higgins started fighting for women's right to vote in 1913. She believed that if Black people could vote, it would help them gain more rights and be treated fairly.

She joined the Woman Suffrage Party of Rhode Island. This group was more welcoming to Black members than some other suffrage groups in the country. At a meeting of the Rhode Island Union of Colored Women's Clubs in 1913, Bertha talked about women's suffrage. Her ideas convinced the group to support women's voting rights. She also wrote letters to important elected officials.

In 1916, Bertha helped raise money for the suffrage movement. She organized a fun variety show with the help of the Twentieth Century Art and Literary Club. During World War I, she also led activities to support soldiers fighting in the war.

After Women Gained the Vote

Women in Rhode Island first got the right to vote in presidential elections in 1917. Then, in 1920, the 19th Amendment was passed, giving all women across the United States the right to vote. After this big victory, Bertha continued to encourage people to vote.

She was one of the first members of the Rhode Island League of Women Voters. In 1920, Bertha started the Julia Ward Howe Republican Women's Club. Her goal was to encourage Black women to join the Republican Party and support its candidates. She worked hard to help Warren G. Harding become President of the United States and was even invited to his inauguration. By 1925, she became a vice president in a national Republican women's group and worked with another famous activist, Mary Church Terrell.

Fighting for Civil Rights

Bertha Higgins also pushed for important civil rights laws. She urged her representative, Clark Burdick, and Senator LeBaron Bradford Colt to support the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill. This bill aimed to make lynching a federal crime. Burdick supported the bill, but Colt did not. Bertha was upset with the Republican senators when the bill did not pass.

In 1932, Bertha became disappointed with the Republican Party. She felt they were not doing enough to support civil rights. Because of this, she created the Colored Independent Political Association of Rhode Island. She eventually decided to support the Democratic Party in the 1932 presidential election. Her Julia Ward Howe club even changed its name to the Julia Ward Howe Democratic Women's Club.

Bertha also worked to help Black people find good jobs. She was very proud when her daughter became the first Black social worker at the Rhode Island Department of Public Welfare.

Later Years

In 1938, Bertha's husband passed away. She took a break from politics and activism for about a year and a half. In the 1940s, she slowly returned to her work. During World War II, she helped support soldiers and worked to help Black soldiers when they returned home. She also spoke at the Rhode Island Democratic Party Convention in 1942.

Bertha Higgins had been dealing with heart disease and was recovering from a stroke. She passed away at her home in Providence on December 30, 1944.