Mariana Wright Chapman facts for kids
Mariana Wright Chapman (born March 14, 1843 – died November 9, 1907) was an American social reformer. This means she worked to make society better. She was also a strong supporter of women's rights. Her main efforts focused on improving prisons and giving women equal rights. Chapman was well-known for her work with the Hicksite Society of Friends, also called Quakers. She helped organize this group. She was also a big supporter of women's right to vote, known as suffrage. Chapman led the Woman Suffrage Association in Brooklyn. Later, she became the president of the New York State Woman Suffrage Association.
Early Life and Learning
Mariana Wright Chapman was born in New York City on March 14, 1843. Her father was Dr. Aaron Wright. Her mother was Mary Willets. Both of her parents were members of the Society of Friends, or Quakers.
Mariana went to private schools in New York City. One of these was the Friends' Institute. In 1857, her family moved to Springboro, Ohio. She then studied at Antioch College for two years.
Working for Change
In 1864, Mariana married Noah H. Chapman. They lived near Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1880, they moved to Brooklyn, New York. They had three sons: Charles, Wright, and Howard. They also had two daughters: Mary and Charlotte.
As her children grew up, Mariana became very active. She worked with the Hicksite Society of Friends. She helped manage their school for several years. She also joined their committee that worked to help people.
Mariana supported many efforts to make the world better. But her main focus was on prison reform and equal rights for women. Prison reform means making prisons fairer and more humane.
Her interest in women's right to vote began in 1884. This was during a big meeting of the Woman Suffrage Association in Brooklyn. Lucy Stone was the president of this group. These meetings greatly inspired Mariana. Soon after, she decided to join their work. She became a member of the Brooklyn Woman Suffrage Association. Later, she became its president.
From 1897 to 1902, she led the New York State Woman's Suffrage Association. She stepped down due to poor health. When Governor Roosevelt suggested giving women some representation, Chapman was called to Albany, New York. She met with him to discuss the idea. She also spoke to the New York State Legislature many times. She was a very good public speaker.
Chapman was also president of the Brooklyn Woman's Club for two years. She helped set up the Friends' Equal Rights Association. She was also a member of a group that supported fair hiring for government jobs.
Mariana was a founding member of the New York League for Political Education. She strongly supported a law to have women matrons in police stations. These matrons would help women prisoners. She also worked for other prison reforms. She was active in the peace movement too.
Later Life and Impact
Mariana Wright Chapman passed away on November 9, 1907. She had been ill for a long time. She died at her home, "Westover," in Port Washington, Long Island. She was buried in Westbury, Long Island. Her family's important papers are kept at Swarthmore College.
