Mary Tenney Gray facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mary Tenney Gray
"A Woman of the Century"
Born	Mary Davy Tenney June 19, 1833 Liberty Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania
Died	October 11, 1904 (aged 71) Kansas City, Kansas
Resting place	Oak Grove cemetery, Kansas City, Kansas
Occupation	editorial writer, clubwoman, philanthropist, and suffragette
Language	English
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Ingalls Seminary
Notable works	"Women and Kansas City's Development"
Spouse	Barzillai Gray ​ (m. 1859)​

Mary Tenney Gray (born Mary Davy Tenney; June 19, 1833 – October 11, 1904) was an important American writer and community leader. She was known as the "Mother of the Women's Club Movement in Kansas". She lived in Kansas City, Kansas for over 20 years. During this time, she was involved in almost every women's movement. She wrote for several newspapers and magazines. These included the New York Teacher and the Kansas Farmer. Mary Tenney Gray also won an award for her paper on "Women and Kansas City's Development".

Early Life and Schooling

Mary Davy Tenney was born in Brookdale, Liberty Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Her birthday was June 19, 1833. Her parents were Rev. Ephraim B. and Harriet (Lott).

She learned a lot from her father's large library. She also studied at the Ingalls Seminary in Binghamton, New York. In 1853, she graduated from Wyoming Seminary in Pennsylvania.

Mary Gray's Career and Community Work

After finishing school, Mary Gray worked as a teacher. She taught at Binghamton Academy in New York from 1854 to 1858.

On June 14, 1859, she married Judge Barzillai Gray in Conklin, New York. They moved to Wyandotte, Kansas Territory. Her husband helped start this town. Mary Gray became very active in her new home. She helped with charities and church groups. She also supported state and county events. She lived in Kansas City, Kansas, for more than two decades. She was a part of nearly every women's group there.

Helping Others and Organizing Groups

Mary Gray was a key leader for Kansas during the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. She helped start the Social Science Club of Kansas and Western Missouri. She was its first president. This club helped spread knowledge and culture in the area. It grew from a few members to 500 women.

In 1859, she also worked to get women the right to vote. She attended the Wyandotte constitutional convention. She worked with other important women like Clarina I. H. Nichols.

Mary Gray was a leader in women's clubs for art, learning, and helping others. Her work helped improve culture across the state. In 1881, women's clubs in Kansas started to connect more. Before this, clubs were mostly local. On May 19, 1881, the State Social Science Club of Kansas and Missouri was formed. This was the first group of women's clubs in the western U.S. Mary Gray was its first president. Women from many cities in Kansas and Missouri joined.

The club's goal was to help smart women get to know each other better. They wanted to improve women's education and opportunities. They shared their knowledge to help everyone. The club met twice a year in different cities. Their meetings covered many topics. These included art, history, education, and helping others. Because of her efforts, Mary Gray became known as the "mother of the woman's culture club movement in Kansas."

Writer and Editor for Change

Mary Gray wrote for many newspapers and magazines. She helped start the Home Record and the Kansas Cook Book. The cookbook was sold to raise money for charity. From 1855 to 1857, she was an editor for the New York Teacher. Her writing helped teachers across the state.

She also wrote for major magazines and newspapers in Kansas and the eastern U.S. Her articles helped the orphan asylum in Leavenworth get support. The Home Record newspaper showed her strong interest in helping women. The Kansas Cook Book sold over 10,000 copies. This brought a lot of money to the Home for the Friendless. For several years, she was also the editor of the home section of the Kansas Farmer. She cared deeply about farmers and their families.

Mary Gray was a strong and clear writer. She gave speeches at many state events and club meetings. In 1901, her paper "Women and Kansas City's Development" won first prize. This was in a contest held by the Women's Auxiliary to the Manufacturers' Association of Kansas City, Missouri.

Family Life and Legacy

Mary and Barzillai Gray had three children. Their son, Lawrence Tenney Gray (born 1864), became a lawyer. Their daughter, Mary Theodosia (1866-1949), married Job Harriman. He ran for vice president in 1904. Another daughter was Jessie M. (born around 1863).

Mary Tenney Gray passed away on October 11, 1904. She died at her home near the Missouri River in Kansas City, Kansas. On May 9, 1909, the Kansas Federation of Women's Clubs honored her. They placed a monument in Oak Grove Cemetery, Kansas City. This monument remembers Mary Gray as one of the group's founders. It is made of Vermont granite. It looks out over the Missouri valley, a view she loved very much.