Orra Henderson Moore Gray Langhorne facts for kids

Orra Henderson Moore Gray Langhorne (born March 8, 1841 – died May 6, 1904) was an important American writer and reformer. She was an early supporter of women's suffrage in Virginia. This means she worked hard to get women the right to vote. Orra had modern ideas for her time. She wrote about helping people of different races get along. She also wanted better schools for African Americans. And, of course, she fought for women's rights. She even started the Virginia Suffrage Society. This was one of the first groups in Virginia to support women voting.

Orra's Early Life and Education

Orra was born on March 8, 1841. Her birthplace was Rockingham County, Virginia. Her parents were Algernon S. Gray and Annie Henderson Gray. Her father believed in the Union. He also wanted to end slavery. Orra's mother passed away in 1852. After that, Orra and two sisters lived with their uncle.

Orra went to Hollins Institute. Today, this school is known as Hollins University. She graduated from there in 1859.

Marriage and Life in Lynchburg

On October 14, 1871, Orra married Thomas Nelson Langhorne. They made their home in Lynchburg, Virginia. This was her husband's hometown. There, they ran a general store together. They also owned several buildings. They rented these out to both white and African American people.

Thomas Langhorne passed away on October 31, 1889. Orra and Thomas did not have any children.

Orra's Work as a Writer and Reformer

Orra grew up in a family with open-minded views. She kept these ideas as an adult. This often surprised her neighbors. Her ideas were very advanced for her time. She believed in racial reconciliation. This means she wanted people of different races to get along. She also wanted better education for African Americans. Orra wrote about her hopes for racial harmony. She said, "As time goes on, we may hope that old prejudices and animosities will be forgotten." She believed people should look to the future.

Orra started sharing her views through writing. She wrote articles for local and national newspapers. She wrote about peace after the Civil War. She also wrote about progress for African Americans. And she wrote about women's right to vote. By 1880, Orra had her own newspaper column. It was in a paper called Southern Workman. This paper was published by the Hampton Institute. Orra was a long-time supporter of the Hampton Institute. This school is now called Hampton University. She even helped a family of former slaves get into the school.

In 1895, Orra was chosen for an important role. She became the vice president for Virginia. This was for the Woman's National Press Association.

Orra also gave talks to the American Social Science Association. She spoke about the lives of African Americans in Virginia. She also served as a secretary for one year. This was for the Department of Social Economy.

Leading the Women's Suffrage Movement

Orra worked hard for women's right to vote. This is called women's suffrage. She asked Virginia's government for this right twice. First, in 1880, she wanted women to vote in presidential elections. Then, in 1894, she argued that women who owned property should vote. She wanted them to vote in state and national elections. Both of her attempts were not successful.

In 1893, Orra started a group called the Virginia Suffrage Society. This group later changed its name. It became the Virginia Woman Suffrage Association. It was part of a bigger group. That group was the National American Woman's Suffrage Association (NAWSA). Orra's group was one of the first in Virginia. Another group had started earlier in the 1870s. It was led by Anna Whitehead Bodeker. But that group closed down. It did not get enough support.

Orra was the president of the Virginia Suffrage Society. This made her a vice-president of NAWSA. In 1896, Orra spoke to a United States Senate committee. She talked about women's right to vote. Other NAWSA members were there too.

Orra tried to get more people to support women's suffrage. But her group had limited success. Orra was often working mostly by herself. The Virginia Suffrage Society closed before the year 1900. It did not have enough members. In 1898, Orra wrote her last report for the society. She was hopeful about the future of women's suffrage in Virginia. She also shared some challenges. She wrote, "There is a steady increase of progressive sentiment in the State, particularly with the young people." But she also noted that many religious leaders were against it.

Death and Lasting Legacy

Orra Langhorne passed away on May 6, 1904. She died at her brother-in-law's home. This was in Lexington, Kentucky. She is buried in Lynchburg. Her grave is at Presbyterian Cemetery.

Orra Langhorne's name is honored today. It is on the Wall of Honor. This wall is part of the Virginia Women's Monument. The monument is in Capitol Square in Richmond.