Sarah Massey Overton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sarah Massey Overton
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| Born |
Sarah Massey
1850 Lennox, Massachusetts
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| Died | August 24, 1914 (aged 63–64) San Jose, California
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| Nationality | American |
| Spouse(s) |
Jacob Overton
(m. 1869) |
Sarah Massey Overton (born in 1850, died August 24, 1914) was a very important person who fought for equal rights. She worked hard for women's right to vote (a "suffragist"). She also championed rights for all women and for African Americans.
Her Early Life
Sarah Massey was born in Lennox, Massachusetts in 1850. Later, in the 1880s, she moved to California. There, she went to St. Phillip’s Mission School. In 1869, she married Jacob Overton. Together, they ran a catering business.
Fighting for Education
In the 1880s, Sarah Massey Overton became a strong leader. She fought for African-American children in California. Her goal was to make sure they could attend public schools. This was a very important step for equal education.
Working for Women's Rights
Sarah Massey Overton was very active in women's rights.
- In 1906, she helped start the Garden City Women’s Club in San Jose.
- As part of this club, she worked to bring together women's groups of different races. They all worked for women's right to vote.
- She strongly supported women's suffrage in the 1911 statewide election in California.
- She was also the vice-president of San Jose’s Suffrage Amendment League. This group included people of different races.
- Sarah helped register men in California who supported women's right to vote. She did this through the Political Equality Club of San Jose.
- She was also the president of the all-black Victoria Earle Matthews (Mothers) Club.
Her Family and Later Life
Sarah Massey Overton had two children. She had a daughter named Harriet and a son named Charles. Sarah Overton passed away on August 24, 1914, in San Jose, California.
