Mary Long Alderson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Long Alderson
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Mary Long Alderson at the Montana WCTU, 1916
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Mary Long
June 19, 1860 South Weymouth, Massachusetts
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| Died | January 7, 1940 (aged 79) Bozeman, Montana
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Suffragist, Clubwoman, Writer |
| Spouse(s) |
Matthew William Alderson
(m. 1888; died in 1924) |
Mary Long Alderson (born June 19, 1860 – died January 7, 1940) was an important American woman. She worked for women's right to vote, was part of many clubs, and was a writer. She helped make big changes in Montana.
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Early Life and Education
Mary Long was born on June 19, 1860. Her birthplace was South Weymouth, Massachusetts. Her parents, Eliza Regan and John E. Long, were immigrants from Ireland. Mary grew up in the city of Boston.
She met famous people there, like Louisa May Alcott. Alcott wrote the well-known book "Little Women." Mary went to school in Quincy, Massachusetts. She learned using a special teaching method. This method was called the "Quincy Method."
Career and Activism
Mary Long worked as a teacher until 1887. She then met Matthew William Alderson. In 1888, they got married in Braintree, Massachusetts. They moved to Bozeman, Montana. Mary and Matthew had three daughters.
Journalist and Writer
Mary's husband, Matt Alderson, and his father published a newspaper. It was called the Bozeman Avant Courier. Mary wrote for this newspaper. She wrote articles that shared her opinions.
She wrote against wearing tight corsets and very long skirts. She also wrote about plants, the temperance movement, and women's right to vote. The temperance movement worked to reduce alcohol use. Mary was one of the few women in the Montana Press Association. This group was for newspaper writers. She also edited the WCTU Journal of Montana.
Leading the Fight for Women's Vote
In 1893, Mary Alderson went to the World's Columbian Exposition. This was a big fair in Chicago. There, she heard famous speakers. One speaker was Susan B. Anthony. Anthony spoke about women's right to vote.
Mary returned to Bozeman ready to act. She wanted to help women get the right to vote. She led the effort for women's suffrage in Montana. In 1914, Montana women gained the right to vote. This was a big victory.
Mary was a secretary for important meetings. She helped organize the Montana Equal Suffrage Association. She also served the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
Clubwoman and Community Leader
Mary Alderson was very active in women's clubs. She was a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). She led the Montana chapter of the WCTU from 1913 to 1916. She also edited their journal.
She belonged to other groups too. One was the "Montana State Housekeepers Society." Another was the "Bozeman Society for the Promotion of Physical Culture and Correct Dress."
Mary also led the "Floral Emblem Campaign." This campaign helped choose Montana's state flower. People voted for the Lewisia rediviva, or bitterroot. It became the official state flower.
In 1930, Mary left the WCTU. But she kept speaking out for important causes. She worked for child welfare and better education. She also supported fair labor laws.
Later Life and Legacy
Mary Alderson passed away in Bozeman, Montana. She died on January 7, 1940, at 79 years old.
Her important papers are kept safe. They are part of the "Alderson Family Collection." You can find them at Montana State University. This collection includes her diaries, letters, and photos. These items tell the story of her family.
Another collection of her papers is at the Montana Historical Society. It has her writings. These include "A Half Century of Progress for Montana Women." It also has scrapbooks about the bitterroot flower.
See also
In Spanish: Mary Long Alderson para niños
