Once married, Caroline was increasingly involved in women’s suffrage causes. A gifted and prolific writer, reformer, and activist, she became a staunch advocate for women’s rights. Caroline and Charles lived in Toronto in the early 1850s. By 1855, Charles Dall had traveled alone to India to work as a Unitarian missionary, returning only once to America before his death in 1886.
For many years, Caroline was actively involved in the Boston women’s rights movement. One of her many important books, The College, the Market, and the Court (1867), based on a series of lectures she gave in Boston in 1861-1862, is a collection of essays about women’s rights, education, economic advancement, and protection under the law.
Her other publications include Historical Pictures Retouched: a Volume of Miscellanies (1859), in which she discusses lesser-known important women from history, Essays and Sketches (1849), and Women's Rights Under the Law: In Three Lectures, Delivered in Boston, January, 1861 (1862).
In 1865, Dall helped found the American Social Science Association. Along with suffragist Paulina Davis, Caroline Dall founded both the New England Women’s Rights Convention and Una, a journal devoted to advocating for women’s rights. Because of these activities, she is often associated with fellow activist, Transcendentalist, and journalist Margaret Fuller regarding their advocacy for the advancement of women.
Later in life, Caroline distanced herself from the women’s rights movement and published such eclectic and diverse works as Egypt (Egypt's Place in History 1868), the Civil War (Patty Gray's Journey, three volumes for children, 1869–70), and What We Really Know About Shakespeare (1885), The Life of Dr. Anandabai Joshee (1888), Margaret and Her Friends: Ten Conversations with Margaret Fuller (1895), and Transcendentalism in New England (1897). In her 70s, she continued lecturing and giving sermons at the Unitarian Church.
After several years of suffering from arthritis, Caroline died of pneumonia on December 17, 1912, at the age of 90.
Caroline Wells Dall was born in Boston, Massachusetts on June 22, 1822. Her parents, Mark Healey and Caroline Foster, provided her with an exclusive education, consisting of private tutoring and private schooling, until she was 15 years old. From 1837 to 1842, she administered a nursery in the North End of Boston. In 1842, Caroline began teaching at Georgetown Female Seminary, where she met Unitarian minister Charles Dall, whom she would marry in 1844.
Once married, Caroline was increasingly involved in women’s suffrage causes. A gifted and prolific writer, reformer, and activist, she became a staunch advocate for women’s rights. Caroline and Charles lived in Toronto in the early 1850s. By 1855, Charles Dall had traveled alone to India to work as a Unitarian missionary, returning only once to America before his death in 1886.
For many years, Caroline was actively involved in the Boston women’s rights movement. One of her many important books, The College, the Market, and the Court (1867), based on a series of lectures she gave in Boston in 1861-1862, is a collection of essays about women’s rights, education, economic advancement, and protection under the law.
Her other publications include Historical Pictures Retouched: a Volume of Miscellanies (1859), in which she discusses lesser-known important women from history, Essays and Sketches (1849), and Women's Rights Under the Law: In Three Lectures, Delivered in Boston, January, 1861 (1862).
In 1865, Dall helped found the American Social Science Association. Along with suffragist Paulina Davis, Caroline Dall founded both the New England Women’s Rights Convention and Una, a journal devoted to advocating for women’s rights. Because of these activities, she is often associated with fellow activist, Transcendentalist, and journalist Margaret Fuller regarding their advocacy for the advancement of women.
Later in life, Caroline distanced herself from the women’s rights movement and published such eclectic and diverse works as Egypt (Egypt's Place in History 1868), the Civil War (Patty Gray's Journey, three volumes for children, 1869–70), and What We Really Know About Shakespeare (1885), The Life of Dr. Anandabai Joshee (1888), Margaret and Her Friends: Ten Conversations with Margaret Fuller (1895), and Transcendentalism in New England (1897). In her 70s, she continued lecturing and giving sermons at the Unitarian Church.
After several years of suffering from arthritis, Caroline died of pneumonia on December 17, 1912, at the age of 90.
Having loved writing from an early age, Susanna became a contributor to periodicals and magazines. She also was a very talented hymn writer.
Susanna passed away on November 30, 1905 and was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery.
]]>Author Susanna Valentine Aldrich was born in Hopkinton, MA on November 14, 1828. She later lived in Roxbury, MA.
Having loved writing from an early age, Susanna became a contributor to periodicals and magazines. She also was a very talented hymn writer.
Susanna passed away on November 30, 1905 and was buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery.
In December of 1841, Lydia began teaching at Mason Street Public School in Salem, and by 1860, she was serving as principal. She continued in this capacity until the end of the 1871-1872 academic year, The next school year, she became principal of Dunlap Street School.
While busy with her career in education, Lydia also found time to create paintings and clay models, to write poetry and prose, and to design and illustrate books. Her design for the book “Red Riding Hood,” in the shape of the main character, was innovative and very popular.
An advocate of corporal punishment for children, Lydia wrote to Charles Brown Lore, Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court, in the Spring of 1901 to support his views on this issue. She passed away later that year, on September 10, 1901 and was buried in Old South Cemetery in Peabody, Massachusetts.
]]>Lydia Louisa Anna Very was born on November 2, 1823, in Salem, Massachusetts, the youngest child of Jones and Lydia Very. Her father passed away when Lydia was just a year old.
In December of 1841, Lydia began teaching at Mason Street Public School in Salem, and by 1860, she was serving as principal. She continued in this capacity until the end of the 1871-1872 academic year, The next school year, she became principal of Dunlap Street School.
While busy with her career in education, Lydia also found time to create paintings and clay models, to write poetry and prose, and to design and illustrate books. Her design for the book “Red Riding Hood,” in the shape of the main character, was innovative and very popular.
An advocate of corporal punishment for children, Lydia wrote to Charles Brown Lore, Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court, in the Spring of 1901 to support his views on this issue. She passed away later that year, on September 10, 1901 and was buried in Old South Cemetery in Peabody, Massachusetts.
She passed away on August 1, 1921.
]]>Helen Vickroy Austin was born in Miamisburg, Ohio on July 19, 1829. She later lived in Ferndale, Pennsylvania, Richmond, Indiana, and Vineland, New Jersey. Helen married William W. Austin in 1850 and became the mother of three children.
She was a horticulturalist, journalist, philanthropist, reformer, temperance worker, and suffragist.
On May 18 and 19, 1870, Helen, her sister Louise Esther Vickroy Boyd, her brother-in-law S.S. Boyd, and other local women and men led the Mass Convention in the Lyceum Hall in Richmond, Indiana to discuss women's rights. By June of 1872, she was serving as corresponding secretary of the Indiana Womans' Suffrage Association. Helen also served as Secretary for the Woman's Christian Association in Richmond during that decade. By 1874, she was a correspondent for The Daily Independent.
Helen was a member of the Daughters of Temperance, the National Woman's Indian Rights Association, the Indiana Woman's Suffrage Association, the Woman's Christian Associaiton, and The Travelers' League.
She passed away on August 1, 1921.
Her husband, Reverend Jonathan Towley Crane, was a Methodist Episcopal pastor and the president of Pennington Seminary. Mary Helen was a church worker for the Methodist Episcopal Church, a temperance reformer, a journalist, and the mother of fourteen children. One of those children was the author Stephen Crane. Jonathan passed away in 1880, and three years later Mary Helen purchased a home for her family in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Mary Helen wrote for several newspapers, including The New York Tribune and The New York World, and she was an active member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. On January 20, 1888, The New York Tribune's article about a W.C.T.U. convention in New Jersey the previous day noted:
"Mrs. M. Helen Crane, State superintendent of press work, read a paper replete with valuable suggestions on newspaper work."
Mary Helen passed away in Paterson, New Jersey, on December 7, 1891, and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Hillside, New Jersey.
Mary Helen Peck Crane, the daughter of Methodist Episcopal minister George Peck and Mary Myers Peck, was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on April 10, 1827.
Her husband, Reverend Jonathan Towley Crane, was a Methodist Episcopal pastor and the president of Pennington Seminary. Mary Helen was a church worker for the Methodist Episcopal Church, a temperance reformer, a journalist, and the mother of fourteen children. One of those children was the author Stephen Crane. Jonathan passed away in 1880, and three years later Mary Helen purchased a home for her family in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Mary Helen wrote for several newspapers, including The New York Tribune and The New York World, and she was an active member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. On January 20, 1888, The New York Tribune's article about a W.C.T.U. convention in New Jersey the previous day noted:
"Mrs. M. Helen Crane, State superintendent of press work, read a paper replete with valuable suggestions on newspaper work."
Mary Helen passed away in Paterson, New Jersey, on December 7, 1891, and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Hillside, New Jersey.
In 1847, Julia married Hon. Seneca M. Dorr, a lawyer and legislator from New York. They had five children. Seneca encouraged her writing, and he sent Julia's first published poem to “Union Magazine” without her knowledge. Her first published short story, “Isabel Leslie,” won her one hundred dollars in prize money. Julia's novel “Farmingdale” was published under her pseudonym, Caroline Thomas, again with assistance and support from her husband. In addition to being a wife and mother, Julia was a prolific poet, an author, a wife, a mother, and an inspirational community member.
After Seneca passed away in 1884, Julia devoted some of her time to another cause. According to her “A Women of the Century” profile, "she became the leader of a band of women who founded the Rutland Free Library, the success of which has been so remarkable" (253). Surely, her works were in that library, as Julia’s poetry, stories, essays and letters won respect from her townspeople and famous male writers such as Longfellow, Emerson, Whittier, and Holmes. She rightfully earned her place in American literary history. Julia was honored as Vermont’s “unofficial poet laureate,” and she was bestowed the honor of Doctor of Letters from Middlebury College in 1910.
Julia Caroline Riley Dorr died on January 18, 1913, and was buried in Rutland's Evergreen Cemetery.
]]>Julia Caroline Ripley Dorr was born on February 13, 1825, in Charleston, South Carolina. She was the daughter of William Young Ripley and Zulma DeLacy Thomas. When Julia was a young girl, her father moved the family to his native Vermont, where he devoted himself to the Rutland marble quarries. After William built the Rutland Opera House, Julia worked to develop women’s appreciation for the arts.
In 1847, Julia married Hon. Seneca M. Dorr, a lawyer and legislator from New York. They had five children. Seneca encouraged her writing, and he sent Julia's first published poem to “Union Magazine” without her knowledge. Her first published short story, “Isabel Leslie,” won her one hundred dollars in prize money. Julia's novel “Farmingdale” was published under her pseudonym, Caroline Thomas, again with assistance and support from her husband. In addition to being a wife and mother, Julia was a prolific poet, an author, a wife, a mother, and an inspirational community member.
After Seneca passed away in 1884, Julia devoted some of her time to another cause. According to her “A Women of the Century” profile, "she became the leader of a band of women who founded the Rutland Free Library, the success of which has been so remarkable" (253). Surely, her works were in that library, as Julia’s poetry, stories, essays and letters won respect from her townspeople and famous male writers such as Longfellow, Emerson, Whittier, and Holmes. She rightfully earned her place in American literary history. Julia was honored as Vermont’s “unofficial poet laureate,” and she was bestowed the honor of Doctor of Letters from Middlebury College in 1910.
Julia Caroline Riley Dorr died on January 18, 1913, and was buried in Rutland's Evergreen Cemetery.
Abby's career included being an industrial reformer, an Anti-Slavery advocate, a teacher, a housekeeper, a social worker, and an author. She was writing fiction by her early forties and contributed to The Arena, The Atlantic Monthly, Hearth and Home, The Independent, New England Magazine, Our Young Folks, and Wide Awake.
Diaz's three 1864 pieces in The Atlantic Monthly were "The Schoolmaster's Story," "Some Account of the Early Life of an Old Bachelor," and "The Little Country-Girl."
A popular juvenile fiction writer, she often published with James R. Osgood and Company. Her The William Henry Letters was published in 1872. During the Christmas holiday of 1877, her The Jimmyjohns & Other Stories received high praise from The Independent: "The Jimmyjohns and Other Stories, by the charming juvenile writer, Mrs. A. M. Diaz, is one of the very best children's books of the year." Some of her other works were: William Henry and His Friends, The Cats' Arabian Nights, or King Grimalkum, and Bybury to Beacon Street,
While writing, she also continued lecturing on topics such as "Women's Work for the Millenium."
In 1889, Abby wrote a piece about her hometown, "A Plymouth Pilgrimage," for New England Magazine. Ten years later, Diaz penned "Antislavery Times in Plymouth" for the same periodical.
Abby continued to write and publish into the new century. Her The Flatiron and the Red Cloak; Old Times at X-Roads was published by T. Y. Crowell % Company in 1901. She passed away in Belmont, Massachusetts on April 1, 1904 and was buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
]]>Abby Morton Diaz was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on November 22, 1821. During the 1840s, Abby and some of her family members spent time at Brook Farm, the Uptopian community in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Recalling her friends hip with Abby there, Ora Gannett Sedgwick later commented: "Among these I must not omit to mention Abby Morton (Mrs. Diaz), who became very dear to me, and whose peculiar combination of liveliness and dignity, together with her beautiful singing, made her a favorite with all the members, old and new" [Atlantic Monthly, 85 (509): 401].
Abby's career included being an industrial reformer, an Anti-Slavery advocate, a teacher, a housekeeper, a social worker, and an author. She was writing fiction by her early forties and contributed to The Arena, The Atlantic Monthly, Hearth and Home, The Independent, New England Magazine, Our Young Folks, and Wide Awake.
Diaz's three 1864 pieces in The Atlantic Monthly were "The Schoolmaster's Story," "Some Account of the Early Life of an Old Bachelor," and "The Little Country-Girl."
A popular juvenile fiction writer, she often published with James R. Osgood and Company. Her The William Henry Letters was published in 1872. During the Christmas holiday of 1877, her The Jimmyjohns & Other Stories received high praise from The Independent: "The Jimmyjohns and Other Stories, by the charming juvenile writer, Mrs. A. M. Diaz, is one of the very best children's books of the year." Some of her other works were: William Henry and His Friends, The Cats' Arabian Nights, or King Grimalkum, and Bybury to Beacon Street,
While writing, she also continued lecturing on topics such as "Women's Work for the Millenium."
In 1889, Abby wrote a piece about her hometown, "A Plymouth Pilgrimage," for New England Magazine. Ten years later, Diaz penned "Antislavery Times in Plymouth" for the same periodical.
Abby continued to write and publish into the new century. Her The Flatiron and the Red Cloak; Old Times at X-Roads was published by T. Y. Crowell % Company in 1901. She passed away in Belmont, Massachusetts on April 1, 1904 and was buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
When George suffered a financial downfall in 1872, and passed away soon after, Sophia's philanthropic activities diminished. By 1902, she was living at 453 West 144th Street in New York City. Sophia passed away at her daughter's home in New Rochelle on September 12, 1905. She was buried in Claverack Dutch Reformed Churchyard in Claverack, New York.
]]>Philanthropist and women's rights advocate Sophia Curtiss Hoffman was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, on November 24, 1825. Emma Curtiss Bascom, her younger sister, is also in A Woman of the Century. Sophia married George Hoffman and moved to New York City. The Hoffmans were parents to one boy and one girl.
A Universalist, Sophia was very involved with Chapin Home for the Aged, a cause of Rev. Edwin Hubbell Chapin. Active in women's rights causes, she was a founder of Sorosis and an officer of the Association for the Advancement of Women. She also belonged to the National Society of New England Women.
Sophia's personal network included prima donna Emma Abbott, whose career she gave financial support to, Charlotte Emerson Brown, Rev. Phebe Anne Hanaford, Julia Ward Howe, Mary Emilie Cobb, Nellie V. Mark, and Maud Howe Elliott.
When George suffered a financial downfall in 1872, and passed away soon after, Sophia's philanthropic activities diminished. By 1902, she was living at 453 West 144th Street in New York City. Sophia passed away at her daughter's home in New Rochelle on September 12, 1905. She was buried in Claverack Dutch Reformed Churchyard in Claverack, New York.
The couple moved to Fenton, Michigan, and Cynthia became a popular lecturer. In her talks, Gorton spoke to her audiences about temperance and other topics she was passionate about.
Professionally, Cynthia was known as "Ida Glenwood," "The Blind Bard of Michigan," and "The Sweet Singer." In addition to penning several books, including Lily Pearl and the Mistress of Rosedale, she contributed to The Christian Herald of Detroit and The Magazine of Poetry.
On August 10, 1894, Cynthia M. Roberts Gorton died at her home in Fenton, Michigan.
]]>Cynthia M. Roberts Gorton was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, on February 27, 1826. While attending Troy Female Seminary, she began to lose her sight. After Cynthia married Frederick Gorton, she became totally blind. However, this determined woman did not let her blindness stop her.
The couple moved to Fenton, Michigan, and Cynthia became a popular lecturer. In her talks, Gorton spoke to her audiences about temperance and other topics she was passionate about.
Professionally, Cynthia was known as "Ida Glenwood," "The Blind Bard of Michigan," and "The Sweet Singer." In addition to penning several books, including Lily Pearl and the Mistress of Rosedale, she contributed to The Christian Herald of Detroit and The Magazine of Poetry.
On August 10, 1894, Cynthia M. Roberts Gorton died at her home in Fenton, Michigan.
Clara Barton, a native of North Oxford, MA, is best known as the founder of the American Red Cross. She was born on December 25, 1821, the youngest child of Stephen and Sara Stone Barton. Clara grew up in North Oxford and lived near her cousin, Martha Elvira Stone. When she was young, Clara taught in North Oxford and worked part-time in a cotton mill.
After teaching in North Oxford for many years, she moved to Clinton, NY to enroll in the Clinton Liberal Institute. She opened a school in Bordentown, NJ and later relocated to Washington, D.C. to work at the United States Patent Office. During the Civil War, Clara tended to wounded soldiers after numerous battles. She became known as "The Angel of the Battlefield." When the war was over, she became very involved with The Office of Correspondence with Friends of the Missing Men of the United States Army in Washington, D.C. In 1867, after meeting Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, Clara became involved in working for suffrage.
Later, while in Europe, Clara learned about the International Red Cross and served as part of the relief corps during the Franco-Prussian War. Clara fought to establish the American Red Cross, and in March of 1881, she became the leader of the American Red Cross.
In addition, Clara, Mary Emily Bennett Coues, and others founded the Pro Re Nata women's club in Washington in 1892.
After many years of work with the American Red Cross, Clara resigned in 1904 and formed the National First Aid Association of America.