Mary Gray Peck facts for kids

Mary Gray Peck (born October 21, 1867 – died January 11, 1957) was an American woman who worked as a journalist, teacher, and a strong supporter of women's rights. She was also involved in many women's clubs. Mary was very interested in the challenges women faced with jobs and money. She even studied working conditions in both Europe and the United States.

Mary was born in New York. She went to college at Elmira College, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Cambridge in England. After her studies, she became a professor of English at the University of Minnesota. Later, she joined important groups like the General Federation of Women's Clubs and the National American Woman Suffrage Association. These groups worked to help women gain more rights, especially the right to vote. In 1911, Mary Peck was a representative at a big meeting in Stockholm for women's voting rights.

Early Life and Education

Mary Gray Peck was born on October 21, 1867, in Seneca Castle, New York. Her parents were Henry J. and Mary Diantha Peck. Mary was a bright student. She earned her first college degree from Elmira College in 1889.

She continued her studies at the University of Minnesota, focusing on language. Then, she traveled to England to study at the University of Cambridge. There, she learned about very old forms of the English language, like Old English and Middle English.

Mary Peck's Career and Work

Mary Peck taught English as an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota for eight years. In 1909, she decided to leave her teaching job. She wanted to focus all her energy on helping women get the right to vote, which is called suffrage. She also started working more as a journalist.

Working for Women's Rights

Mary was a founding member of the College Equal Suffrage League at the University of Minnesota. This group encouraged college students to support women's voting rights. From 1909 to 1910, she worked as the main secretary for the National American Woman Suffrage Association in New York City. This was a very important group fighting for women's right to vote.

In 1911, Mary was a special representative for the Women's Trade Union League. She attended the Sixth Conference of the International Woman Suffrage Alliance in Stockholm. This was a big international meeting where people from different countries discussed women's voting rights.

During the 1912 campaign in Ohio, Mary was in charge of press for the Ohio Woman Suffrage Association. Her job was to get the word out to newspapers and the public about why women should be allowed to vote.

Journalism and Writing

As a journalist, Mary Peck wrote for many different newspapers and magazines. She was a special reporter for the Boston Evening Transcript during the International Suffrage Congress in 1911. She wrote articles about her research, original investigations, and even fiction and poetry. Mary was known for her open-minded views on religion.

Other Groups and Interests

Mary Peck was a member of many different clubs and organizations. These included the National Women's Trade Union League, which helped working women. She was also part of the Woman Suffrage Party and the Geneva Political Equality Club, both focused on women's rights. Her interests also extended to literature and drama, as she was a member of the Drama League of America.

Mary Gray Peck passed away on January 11, 1957. She was living with her niece in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. She was buried in Whitney Cemetery in Seneca, New York.

Selected Writings

Mary Gray Peck wrote several books and plays during her life. Here are some of them:

• Germelshausen; a drama in four acts by M.G. Peck, Carl Schlenker, Frances B. Potter., 1904
• The rise of the woman suffrage party, 1911
• Outline study course in modern drama beginning with the 19th century, 1912
• Women in the making of America, 1940
• Carrie Chapman Catt : a biography, 1944