Clara Snell Wolfe facts for kids
Clara Snell Wolfe (1874–1970) was an important American woman who worked hard for women's rights. She was a leading suffragist, which means she supported the right for women to vote. Clara founded the Texas part of the National Woman's Party and became its leader.
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Clara Snell Wolfe: A Champion for Women's Rights
Clara Snell Wolfe was born Clara M. Snell on May 9, 1874, in Milledgeville, Illinois. She grew up to become a dedicated teacher and a strong voice for women's equality. Her work helped change laws and open doors for women across the United States.
Early Life and Education
In 1898, Clara graduated from Illinois State Normal University. After finishing her studies, she began her career in education. She worked as a school administrator and teacher in an Illinois high school. Later, she taught within the Illinois State Normal University system itself.
In 1906, Clara married Albert Benedict Wolfe. The couple then moved to Ohio. Clara continued her education at Oberlin College, where her husband was a teacher. She earned another degree in 1909. She also studied at Ohio State University College and the University of California.
Fighting for Women's Vote
Clara Wolfe was very active in the suffrage movement. This was a big effort to get women the right to vote. She was a member of the Ohio Woman Suffrage Association. From 1905 to 1909, she served as the Recording Secretary for this group. This meant she kept important records of their meetings and decisions.
She was also part of the Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs. Here, she worked on the Ohio suffrage campaign in 1912. This campaign aimed to get women the right to vote in Ohio. Clara worked hard to convince people and lawmakers to support this important cause.
Leading the Way in Texas
Around 1914, Clara and her husband moved to Austin, Texas. In Texas, Clara took on an even bigger role in the fight for women's rights. She founded the Texas branch of the National Woman's Party (NWP). This party was a key group pushing for women's suffrage across the country.
Clara became the president of the Texas NWP. Under her leadership, the group worked to get women the right to vote in Texas and across the nation. They used different methods, like protests and lobbying, to make their voices heard.
Continuing the Fight for Equality
In 1923, the Wolfes moved back to Ohio. Even after leaving Texas, Clara remained very active in the National Woman's Party. After women won the right to vote in 1920, the NWP started working on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). This amendment aimed to make sure women had equal rights in all areas of life, not just voting. Clara was a strong supporter of the ERA.
Her dedication continued for many years. In 1942, she was chosen as the Second Vice Chairman of the NWP. Later, in 1949, she became the Executive Council Vice Chairman. Clara Snell Wolfe passed away on June 12, 1970, in Upper Arlington, Ohio. She left behind a legacy of tireless work for women's equality.