Elisabeth Freeman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elisabeth Freeman
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| Born | September 12, 1876 |
| Died | February 27, 1942 (aged 65) |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | suffragist |
Elisabeth Freeman (September 12, 1876 – February 27, 1942) was an important person who worked for equal rights in the United States. She was born in England and later moved to America. She is best known for her work helping women get the right to vote. She also investigated a very unfair event in Texas for the NAACP. This organization works to protect the rights of African Americans.
Contents
About Elisabeth Freeman
Her Early Life
Elisabeth Freeman was born in Britain in 1876. Her mother, Mary Hall Freeman, was separated from her husband. Elisabeth was the younger sister of Jane Freeman, who became a well-known artist. Elisabeth, her mother, and her siblings moved to the United States. They lived on Long Island, New York. For a time, Elisabeth and her siblings lived in an orphanage where her mother worked.
Growing up, Elisabeth Freeman did not have much money and received only a limited education. She found her work with The Salvation Army to be very helpful and inspiring. Later, Freeman moved back to London for a while. There, she helped a woman who was being treated unfairly by a policeman. Both women were arrested after this event. This experience led Freeman to join the suffrage movement.
Becoming a Suffragist
In the suffrage movement, Elisabeth Freeman learned many important skills. She learned how to speak in public, work with the media, and encourage others to join the cause. When she returned to the United States, she used these skills to work for the American suffrage movement. This movement aimed to get women the right to vote.
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A famous example of Freeman's work happened in 1913. She took part in a national Suffrage Hike (a long walk) to the inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson in Washington, D.C.. To get attention for a women's suffrage march in New York City, she dressed in a special costume. She also drove a wagon that said 'Votes for Women' and was filled with books and papers about women's right to vote. This was a clever way to get people interested!
Fighting for Civil Rights
In May 1916, Elisabeth Freeman attended a meeting for women's voting rights in Dallas, Texas. While she was there, a very sad and unfair event happened in Waco, Texas. A young African-American farmhand named Jesse Washington was treated very badly. Royal Freeman Nash, who was a leader of the NAACP, asked Freeman for help. He hired her to investigate what happened and write a report.
For one week, Elisabeth Freeman pretended to be a reporter. She spoke to both African Americans and white people in Waco about the event. She wrote a detailed report about the injustice for W. E. B. Du Bois, another important leader of the NAACP. The NAACP used her report to tell the whole country about the unfair treatment of American citizens. Their efforts helped the NAACP become a strong organization fighting for civil rights. At that time, the NAACP was based in New York City. They put up banners outside their office to show how unfair these events were. Their lawyers also helped many African Americans in legal cases across the country.
Later Years and Legacy
Between 1917 and 1919, the United States was involved in World War I in Europe. During this time, Elisabeth Freeman also worked for peace. She spoke to Congress and continued her work for civil rights. Speaking out against war policies was not always popular, but she believed it was important.
Elisabeth Freeman passed away in February 1942. She is remembered for her dedication to fighting for fairness and equal rights for all people.
