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College Equal Suffrage League facts for kids

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The College Equal Suffrage League (CESL) was an American group started in 1900. It was founded by Maud Wood Park and Inez Haynes Irwin. Their main goal was to get younger people, especially college students, interested in the movement for women's right to vote. The League helped create many student groups across the country. It also influenced bigger organizations like the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA).

History of the CESL

How the Idea Started

The idea for the CESL began at a big meeting of the NAWSA in Washington, D.C. in 1900. Maud Wood Park, who was 29 years old and had just finished college at Radcliffe College, noticed something important. She was the youngest person there! This made her realize that the women's suffrage movement needed more young people. She saw that many college women weren't very interested in the cause. So, Maud decided to work on bringing a new generation into the fight for voting rights.

She later explained her decision:

After hearing Susan B. Anthony speak, I understood her amazing life and service. She worked for all women, and for everyone. I felt a duty to help the cause that Miss Anthony and others had sacrificed so much for. I promised myself I would help more women see this. College women should remember the pioneers who made their education possible. They should feel a duty to use their opportunities. One way to do this is to fight for the right to vote where it is still needed.

Growing the Movement

Maud Wood Park teamed up with Inez Haynes Irwin, another Radcliffe graduate who supported women's suffrage. Together, they started the Massachusetts CESL in Boston. Maud then traveled around the United States. She visited colleges and spoke with recent graduates. She hoped these graduates would then encourage younger university and high school students to join the movement. Maud's tours were very successful. They led to the creation of new CESL groups in 30 different states.

In 1906, the NAWSA noticed the CESL's success. To get more public attention, NAWSA started actively recruiting college students. They even hosted special "College Evenings" at their larger suffrage events.

A National Effort

By 1908, all the different state chapters of the CESL decided to join together. They formed the National College Equal Suffrage League. This new national group became an official part of NAWSA. M. Carey Thomas, who was the president of Bryn Mawr College, became the first president of the National CESL. Maud Wood Park served as its vice president.

The National CESL continued to bring new people into the suffrage cause. It kept working until 1917, when the organization officially ended. However, many members of the League continued their important work. They played big roles in helping to pass the Nineteenth Amendment. This amendment gave women the right to vote across the country. Later, many of them joined new groups like the League of Women Voters, which started in 1920.

Key People and Chapters

Northern California Chapter

The CESL had a very active group in Northern California. This chapter played a big part in helping California pass women's suffrage in 1911. Some of the suffragists involved in this chapter included:

  • Kate Brousseau
  • Adelaide Brown
  • Genevieve Cooke, who was the Corresponding Secretary
  • Lillien Jane Martin, who was the Third Vice-President
  • Belle Judith Miller
  • Ethel Moore
  • Anna Elizabeth Rude, who was the Treasurer
  • Charlotte Anita Whitney, who was the President

Other Notable People

Many other important people were part of the College Equal Suffrage League or supported its goals. Here are some of them:

See also

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