Carrie Chapman Catt, Iowa’s suffragist
~a column by Mary Weaver
Yes, I was sorry the vote regarding the outcome for lack of abortion availability for Iowa women, but I was not surprised. I completed my civic responsibilities by informing my legislator, Representative Thompson (remember my physical address is in Boone County) and Senator Green of my opinion. I will not assume that my writings will change your opinion, so rather than dwelling on the past am sharing a recent experience.
The focus is on a historically strong Iowa woman, Carrie Lane Chapman Catt. As a part of my leadership of the Iowa Democratic Women’s Caucus, our group is learning to become docents at her home/museum near Charles City. I had my orientation to docent services last weekend. It was given to me by her great-great nephew, Tim Lane. Tim and I worked together at the former Iowa Department of Public Health. He is the vice chair of the not-for-profit organization overseeing the home.
Now about Carrie…….
Carrie moved to Iowa with her parents and two brothers at age 7. The year was 1866. Her father and older brother built a brick home on what they called Spring Brook Stock Farm. The stock was nursery, including walnut and apple trees.
Carrie was 13 when she realized women could not vote. The year was 1872, the candidates were Ulysses Grant and Horace Greeley. On Election Day, her father and the hired man dressed in good clothes to go to town to vote. Carrie asked her mother why she wasn’t changing clothes. “Are you going to town in your work dress?” Her mother laughed. “Why, Carrie, don’t you know women can’t vote?” Carrie was stunned. She commented in later years that this was the event that influenced her life more than any other. “I never forgot that rank injustice done to my mother. I was born a suffragist.”
Carrie wanted to go to college, but she knew her family didn’t have the money. She earned most of the money needed for school, first by teaching in a country school, then by washing dishes and working in the library at Iowa State Agricultural College. (Now Iowa State University) She was the only girl in her class when she graduated as valedictorian in 1880.
After college Carrie moved to Mason City to teach, become a principal and then Superintendent of Schools. All by the young age of 24. Mason City had a discipline problem at the time which had defeated her male predecessor. Carrie lined up nine surly boys tall enough to look her in the eye and went down the line thrashing each one soundly. On the spot the Mason City school discipline problem was solved, but it was the last time this leader-to-be ever made any point with a strap.
Carrie began her active work for suffrage in 1885. She spoke in every Iowa county, in dozens of states, in 26 countries around the world.
Carrie became a professional speech giver. Her fame grew out of her ambitious activities for justice: Justice for women and justice for minority groups and peace for all the world.
The efforts of the suffragettes and their supporters were rewarded in July of 1919 when Congress approved the 19th Amendment. This gave women the right to vote. Iowa was the 10th state, one of the 36 state governments to ratify.
Carrie was the founder of the League of Women Voters. The year was 1920. The League was to teach government and parliamentary procedures to students.
She had numerous other sterling firsts and acknowledgments. The museum does an excellent job of portraying her life accomplishments.
Carrie Chapman Catt died in 1947 at the age of 88 years. She is buried in New York.
The home/museum is about a 2-hour drive from Greene County. It is open daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day until 4 pm. There is no admission fee, though donations are appreciated.
Mary Weaver, of Rippey, is chair of the Iowa Women’s Democratic Caucus
