Emily Gibson Braerton facts for kids
Emily May Gibson Braerton (born January 14, 1884 – died November 16, 1966) was an important American activist. She was one of the first people to champion historic preservation in the western United States. This means she worked hard to save old buildings and places that were important to history.
Emily Braerton was also a leader in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). This is a group for women whose ancestors helped in the American Revolution. She was a Vice President General for the DAR from 1950 to 1953. Even after that, she remained an Honorary Vice President General until she passed away in California in 1966.
Early Life and Family
Emily May Gibson was born on January 14, 1884, in Council Grove, Kansas. Her parents were Albert Eugene Gibson and Lillian Griffith.
She came from a family with a strong history. Her great-uncle was William Harvey Gibson, a famous speaker and a Union Army General during the American Civil War. Emily was also a direct descendant of Colonel John Gibson, who was an officer in the U.S. Revolutionary War. Another ancestor was Robert Coe, who arrived in America in 1634.
Emily attended the University of Kansas in 1902 and 1903. She later married Warder Lee Braerton. He was a lawyer and worked in insurance in Denver, Colorado.
Family Life
Emily and Warder Lee Braerton had five daughters: Emily Louise, Lillian Joan, Mary Lee, Susan Frances, and Lucy Jean. Sadly, one of their daughters died as a baby. Another daughter had cerebral palsy, which was caused by being born too early.
Working for Change
Emily Braerton was very dedicated to helping others. She was especially supportive of people with disabilities, likely because of her own family's experience.
Fighting for Fairness
During her time as a national leader in the DAR, Emily Braerton helped the organization make things right after a past event. In 1939, a famous singer named Marian Anderson was not allowed to perform at Constitution Hall. This was because of unfair rules at the time.
However, things changed. On March 14, 1953, Marian Anderson sang at Constitution Hall to an audience that was not separated by race. This was a big step forward! She performed there again in 1956. Later, in 1964, Marian Anderson even started her farewell tour from Constitution Hall. Emily Braerton's work helped make these important changes happen.
Later Years
Emily May Gibson Braerton passed away in Orange County, California, in 1966. She is remembered for her efforts to save history and for her work towards fairness and helping those with disabilities.
