Sue M. Wilson Brown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sue M. Wilson Brown
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| Born |
Sue M. Wilson
September 8, 1877 Staunton, Virginia
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| Died | January 1, 1941 (aged 63) Des Moines, Iowa
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Clubwoman, Activist |
Sue M. Wilson Brown (September 8, 1877 – January 1, 1941) was an important African-American activist. She worked hard for women's suffrage, which means the right for women to vote. In 1995, she was honored by being added to the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame.
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Sue M. Wilson Brown's Early Life
Sue M. Wilson Brown was born on September 8, 1877, in Staunton, Virginia. Her parents were Jacob Wilson and Maria Harris Wilson. When she was a child, her family moved to Iowa. They lived near a town called Buxton. Her family worked in coal mining there.
Education and Marriage
Sue went to Oskaloosa High School. After finishing school, she moved to Des Moines, Iowa. She married Samuel Joe Brown on December 31, 1902.
How Sue Brown Helped Her Community
After moving to Des Moines, Sue M. Wilson Brown became very active in her community. She joined the Iowa Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. This group worked to improve the lives of African-American women.
Leading Women's Clubs
From 1907, Sue Brown edited the group's newspaper, Iowa Colored Woman, for two years. She also started several important clubs herself. These included the Des Moines Intellectual Improvement Club and the Mary B. Talbert Club. She also started the Des Moines Mary Church Terrell Club.
Sue Brown also helped the American Red Cross by forming an Auxiliary group. From 1915 to 1917, she was the president of the Iowa Federation of Colored Women. During this time, she worked to find safe places for African-American women to live while they studied at the University of Iowa. She also strongly supported women getting the right to vote.
Fighting for Voting Rights
In August 1919, Sue Brown created the Des Moines League of Colored Women Voters. She became its first president. She spoke at important meetings, like the Iowa Equal Suffrage Association's convention. Later, she also spoke at the Iowa League of Women Voters convention.
Sue Brown was also involved in politics. She attended many meetings for the Republican Party at both local and state levels. She led the Republican Committee for Polk County, Iowa. She also became the vice-president of the National League of Republican Colored Women.
Sue Brown's Work with the NAACP
Sue Brown was a key member of the NAACP in Des Moines. The NAACP works to ensure equal rights for all people. In 1922, she started a "junior chapter" for younger members. From 1925 to 1930, she was the president of the local NAACP branch.
Improving Race Relations
She served on and led several groups that aimed to improve how different races got along in Iowa. She was also a well-known member of the Order of the Eastern Star. This is a group that does charitable work. In 1925, Sue Brown wrote a book called The History of the Order of the Eastern Star among Colored People.
Sue M. Wilson Brown's Legacy
Sue M. Wilson Brown passed away on January 1, 1941, in Des Moines. Her dedication to civil rights and women's suffrage left a lasting impact. In 1995, she was honored for her contributions by being inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame.
