The Valiant Women of Maryland

For sure, there were famous suffragists whose names have endured: Susan B. Anthony. Alice Paul. Frederick Douglass. Rightfully, they are honored in several national historic sites, such as the National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House. Their courage is never forgotten.

However, Maryland had its own suffragists. These women and men picketed at the White House, traveled in horse-drawn wagons and cars to champion the cause, met at tiny Quaker meeting houses in Montgomery County, took their message around the Eastern Shore and descended at national suffrage conventions that took place in Baltimore.

Many of their names had faded into history.

To honor them on the occasion of the 19th Amendment centennial, MWHC, with the help of several women’s history experts, embarked on a comprehensive research project to identify and preserve the stories of these suffragists. We assembled close to 100 names and preserved their stories if available.

In addition, MWHC, supported by volunteer women’s history experts and funding from the Pomeroy Foundation, recognized Maryland suffragists with the installation of permanent historical markers around the state. These markers put Maryland’s valiant women on the map since they became part of the National Votes for Women Trail.