LETTER: ALS to Miss Hunter.
Shaw, Anna Howard. Scarce Autograph Letter Signed “Anna H. Shaw” while President of the N.A.W.S.A.; 3-3/4 pp.; on imprinted “The Leolyn” stationery, Lily Dale, New York, August 20, 1909.
American Woman suffrage leader; Methodist minister; M.D., Boston University Medical School; lecturer and President of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, 1904-1915, taking the torch from Susan B. Anthony.
Writing to a Miss Hunter, Ms. Shaw reports on the recent Women’s Rights convention held at Minneapolis, and assures Hunter that the association is not of a radical nature. Ms. Shaw warmly pens:
Your letter with the enclosed clipping followed me about until it reached Minneapolis where for four weeks I was detained by a broken ankle…You certainly did not need to have any assurance that the report was wholly unfounded, in fact that there was not even a basis of truth for it? As far as the National Convention was concerned there was not the slightest evidence of discord. IT was harmonious throughout and most successful, as we secured Prof. Frances S. Potter…to accept the position of National Corresponding Sec’y for which she resigned her position a Professor of English in the University of Minnesota. Prof. Potter is the foremost woman Educator in the West. With Prof. Potter, her assistant in the department of English, Mrs. Peck, comes to our new headquarters in New York. Now had our proceedings been other than without reproach such women would not be likely to give up such positions to cast their lot with us. It is true that there is a division among the state workers and at the State Convention the day before…there was some confusion and one or two disagreeable things happened, but nothing of a sensational nature. The papers wanted something startling for headlines and so when nothing happened [the newspapers] made the worst they could. You need never fear as long as the present forces control the National Ass’n. there will always be such a course followed as will at least not offend the good taste of our friends. I am very glad you wrote me, do so always when I can serve you or our cause. I suppose you know we have moved our headquarters to New York City where after Sept. 15th we will be at home to all who may call upon us…I expect to make New York my home for at least six months in the year. We expect to do a great deal of work this winter.
In 1915 Shaw resigned the office of President, recognizing that her job was almost done. She passed the position on to younger more energetic leaders. However her job was not done. In 1919, at the urging of Wm. Howard Taft, and A. Lawrence Lowell, president of Harvard University, she joined them on a tour of the country to advocate the League of Nations and the treaty of peace. As a lecturer she had no equal among women. A vivid and forceful personality, she made friends and won admiration wherever she went. After her death memorial foundation were established at Barnard, Bryn Mawr, and the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in her honor. In fine condition.
(#4516)
Print Inquire
