Edna Fischel Gellhorn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edna Fischel Gellhorn
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Edna Fischel
December 18, 1878 |
| Died | September 24, 1970 (aged 91) St. Louis, Missouri, United States
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Suffragist Social reformer |
| Known for | Co-founding the National League of Women Voters |
Edna Fischel Gellhorn (1878 – 1970) was an important American leader who worked for women's rights. She helped women get the right to vote. She also played a big part in starting the National League of Women Voters, an organization that helps people understand politics and vote.
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Early Life and Education
Edna Fischel Gellhorn was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on December 18, 1878. Her father was a professor at Washington University. He also helped start a hospital. Her mother was Martha Ellis Fischel. Both of her parents were active in their community.
Edna learned from her parents to care about her community. She spent a lot of her time helping others. She went to the Mary Institute and Bryn Mawr College. At both schools, she was elected student president. When she graduated from Bryn Mawr in 1900, her class chose her as their lifetime president.
Fighting for Women's Right to Vote
Edna Gellhorn was a leader in the fight for women's right to vote. This movement was called suffrage. From 1910 until 1919, she was an officer in the St. Louis and Missouri State Equal Suffrage Leagues. These groups worked to get women the right to vote. Their goal was achieved when the Nineteenth Amendment was passed in 1919. This amendment gave women across the United States the right to vote.
The Golden Lane Protest
In 1916, a big event called "The Golden Lane" happened in St. Louis. Thousands of women lined the road leading to the Democratic convention. They carried yellow parasols and wore yellow sashes. This was a way to show their support for women's voting rights.
In front of the Art Museum, there was a display about states where women could not vote. It was covered in black cloth. Two young girls, Mary Taussig and Martha Gellhorn (Edna's daughter), stood in the front. They represented the future voters.
Founding the League of Women Voters
In 1920, Edna Gellhorn helped start the National League of Women Voters. She became its vice president. Another important leader, Carrie Chapman Catt, asked Edna to be the president of the National League, but Edna said no.
Edna Gellhorn was also on the National League's board. She served three terms as president of the St. Louis League. She was also the first president of the Missouri League of Women Voters. Because of her hard work, she was honored by the League at both the state and national levels.
Other Important Work
Edna Gellhorn worked on many other projects to improve society. She helped start the United Nations Association, the National Municipal League, and the American Association of University Women. During World War I, she was in charge of food rationing programs for her region.
Edna Gellhorn also strongly supported equal rights for all races. In 1919, she cast the deciding vote in the St. Louis League of Women Voters. This vote allowed African-American women to join the board. Just two years later, Gellhorn and the League left a group of women's organizations. They left because that group would not allow African-American women to join.
Legacy and Recognition
Edna Gellhorn passed away in St. Louis in 1970. She was 91 years old.
In 1968, Washington University created a special position in her honor. It is called the Edna Fischel Gellhorn Professorship of Public Affairs. When she was 79, the St. Louis Globe-Democrat newspaper named her "Woman of Achievement."
Her important papers and writings are kept at Washington University.
Edna Fischel Gellhorn's daughter, Martha Gellhorn, became a famous war reporter.[2]
