Lucy Stone
Lucy Stone

Women suffragist Lucy Stone, an influential abolitionist and suffragist fighting for both racial and gender equality.

Jeannette Rankin
Jeannette Rankin

Women suffragist Jeannette Rankin, first woman elected to Congress in the House of Representatives and only Congressperson to vote against WWI and WWII

Mary Church Terrell
Mary Church Terrell

Woman suffragist Mary Church Terrell fought for gender and racial equality and was the first president of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW)

Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth

Woman suffragist Sojourner Truth African American abolitionist and women’s rights activist

Zitkála-Šá
Zitkála-Šá

Zitkála-Šá (“Red Bird”), also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, was a Sioux Indian writer, editor, translator, musician, educator, and political activist.

Mabel Ping-Hua Lee
Mabel Ping-Hua Lee

Woman suffragist Mabel Ping-Hua Lee was a Chinese American writer, feminist and first woman to receive a PhD. from Columbia University.

Adelina Otero-Warren
Adelina Otero-Warren

Woman suffragist Adelina “Nina” Otero-Warren was an educator and politician who led the New Mexico chapter of the Congressional Union (precursor to the National Woman’s Party).

Wilhelmine Kekelaokalaninui Widemann Dowsett
Wilhelmine Kekelaokalaninui Widemann Dowsett

Wilhelmine Kekelaokalaninui Widemann Dowsett was a Native Hawaiian suffragist who helped organize the National Women’s Equal Suffrage Association of Hawai’i (WESAH).

Mary Church Terrell, three-quarter length portrait, seated, facing front.

Who is Mary Church Terrell?

Mary Church Terrell was well-known for her efforts in both racial equality and women’s suffrage. She was the daughter of former slaves, who had later become one of the South’s first African American millionaire families. While a high school teacher, Terrell’s activism was sparked by the lynching of an old friend. She later joined Ida B. Wells in anti-lynching campaigns as well as the fight for women’s suffrage. Terrell would eventually become the first president of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW). During her tenure, she campaigned, wrote, and spoke extensively on the importance and necessity of black women’s suffrage.

“Colored women are the only group in this country who have two heavy handicaps to overcome, that of race as well as that of sex.”

Mary Church Terrell, three-quarter length portrait, seated, facing front. [1880 and 1900, printed later] Photograph. Courtesy of Library of Congress.

Sources: Inspiringquotes, Mary Church Terrell Quotes, National Women's History Museum

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