Josephine Henry facts for kids
Josephine Kirby Henry (born February 22, 1846 – died January 8, 1928) was an American leader during the Progressive Era. This was a time when many people worked to improve society. Josephine Henry was a strong voice for women's rights, especially for women's right to vote. She was also a social reformer and a writer from Versailles, Kentucky. Henry strongly supported laws that would give married women the right to own property rights. She worked very hard to help pass the Kentucky 1894 Married Woman's Property Act. Many people believe she was key to its success. Josephine Henry was also the first woman to publicly campaign for a statewide office in Kentucky.
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Early Life and Family
Josephine Kirby Williamson was born into a wealthy family in Newport, in northern Kentucky. When she was 15, her family moved to Versailles. She taught piano lessons and also taught at the Versailles Academy for Ladies. In March 1868, Josephine married Captain William Henry. They lived in Versailles and were both very active in their community and state. They had one son, Frederick V. Henry, born in 1868. Sadly, Frederick died in a railroad accident in 1891 while working as a writer.
Fighting for Women's Rights
During Josephine Henry's time, women in Kentucky had many duties but very few rights. This was even harder for married women. After marriage, they had almost no legal protection from their husbands' actions. Married women had few rights when it came to money or property. They could not own property or even make a will. They also had no right to their own wages from work. Often, they could not even make decisions about their own children.
Josephine Henry spent many years working to gain equal rights for women. Her writings, speeches, and organizing skills are well-known. For example, in 1893, a report noted that Henry had given fifteen lectures across the state. She also wrote many articles for newspapers.
Kentucky Equal Rights Association
In 1888, Josephine Henry and Laura Clay started the Kentucky Equal Rights Association. This group worked to make the women's suffrage movement stronger in Kentucky. The Association fought for important social changes. They wanted women to have the right to vote in all elections. They also wanted married women to own their own property. They believed women should be able to make a will or a contract. And they wanted women to control the money they earned from their jobs or businesses.
The 1894 Married Woman's Property Act
By the late 1800s, Kentucky was one of the only states where marriage took away many basic rights from women. The Married Woman's Property Act was passed in 1894. During the years it was debated, some people called it "anti-family." They felt it went against old ideas about women. But the Kentucky General Assembly finally passed the bill. It gave married women some general rights to own property in Kentucky. This was a huge step forward for women's rights, including the right to vote. Henry believed this law was vital for women to become financially independent. She felt this independence was needed for women to vote wisely.
A Talented Writer
Josephine Henry was a very active writer. She wrote hundreds of newspaper articles, speeches, and opinion pieces. Many of these were printed in newspapers all over the country. Besides short articles, she also wrote longer books. Her two most famous pamphlets were published in 1905. They were called Marriage and Divorce and Woman and the Bible.
Henry also wrote poems. She is best remembered for her poems The Old Town Clock and A Parody On 'Comin' Thro' The Rye'.
Running for Office
Josephine Henry was a candidate for the Prohibition Party in 1890 and 1894. She ran for clerk of the Kentucky Court of Appeals. This made her the first woman in the South to run in a public campaign for a state office. A few years later, Henry was nominated for Superintendent of Public Instruction. On November 14, 1897, Henry said she was willing to be nominated for president by the Prohibition Party. The New York Times reported on her platform. Her main ideas included:
- Giving American women the right to vote.
- Supporting free coinage of silver.
- Recognizing Cuba's independence.
- Reforming pensions.
- Reducing federal offices.
- Creating a non-political committee for tariffs.
- Making lobbying a crime.
- Ending the sale of alcohol.
Recognition and Lasting Impact
In 1920, Josephine Henry received a "Pioneer Distinguished Service" certificate. This was given to her by the National American Woman Suffrage Association. This award recognized her important work and leadership.
Death
After having a stroke in December 1927, Josephine Henry died. She passed away in Versailles, Kentucky, on January 8, 1928, at the age of 84. She is buried in the Versailles Cemetery.
Images for kids
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Josephine Kirby Henry, around 1898.
