Era Club of New Orleans facts for kids

The Era Club of New Orleans was a special group for women in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was one of the biggest women's clubs in the southern United States. These clubs were places where women could meet, learn, and work together to help their communities. The Era Club did many good things, like helping people in need, pushing for important changes, and fighting for women's suffrage (the right for women to vote).

What Was the Era Club?

The Era Club was founded in 1896 by a woman named Evelyn W. Ordway. The club's name was actually a secret code! "ERA" stood for "Equal Rights for All." This name showed what the club believed in: that everyone, including women, should have the same rights and opportunities.

How the Club Started

The Era Club began in 1896. It was connected to another group called the Portia Club. From the very start, the Era Club was dedicated to helping women get the right to vote in Louisiana. But they didn't stop there! They also worked hard to make things better in other areas of life.

What Did They Do?

The Era Club worked on many important projects:

• Voting Rights: They were very active in the fight for women's suffrage. They wanted women to have the same right to vote as men. In fact, between 1900 and 1913, the Era Club was the only group in New Orleans actively working for women's voting rights.
• Education: They pushed for improvements in schools and learning opportunities for everyone.
• Cleanliness: They worked to make sure cities were clean and healthy, focusing on things like sanitation.
• Community Help: They raised money for charities to help people who needed it most.
• Child Labor: They campaigned against child labor, which meant they fought to stop young children from working in dangerous jobs. They believed children should be in school, not working.

Important People in the Era Club

Many dedicated women were part of the Era Club. Some of the well-known members included:

• Elizabeth Bass
• Jean Gordon
• Kate M. Gordon, who even served as the club's president.
• Dr. Sara T. Mayo
• Evelyn Walton Ordway, who helped start the club.

These women worked together to make a real difference in New Orleans and beyond, helping to shape a better future for women and their communities.