Rachel Foster Avery
Encyclopedia
National American Woman Suffrage Association
The National American Woman Suffrage Association was an American women's rights organization formed in May 1890 as a unification of the National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association...
during the late 19th century.
Biography
Rachel Foster was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1858 to Julia Manuel Foster and J. Heron Foster, the editor of the Pittsburgh DispatchPittsburgh Dispatch
The Pittsburgh Dispatch was a leading newspaper in Pittsburgh, PA, operating from 1846 to 1923. After being enlarged by publisher Daniel O'Neill it was reportedly one of the largest and most prosperous newspapers in the United States...
.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Cady Stanton was an American social activist, abolitionist, and leading figure of the early woman's movement...
, a prominent social activist and advocate of women's rights, held suffrage meetings at the Foster's home, and Rachel's mother became vice president of the local suffrage society. After J. Heron Foster's death in 1871, Rachel, her sister, and mother moved to Philadelphia, where they joined the Citizens' Suffrage Association. Rachel began writing for newspapers at about age 17. At 21 she attended the eleventh convention of the National Woman Suffrage Association, and became actively involved in the organization by planning and organizing the association's meetings across the country in 1880 and 1881.
In 1882 she conducted the Nebraska Amendment campaign. Later she published throughout the state of Pennsylvania the lecture of Governor John W. Hoyt of Wyoming, entitled "The Good Results of Thirteen Years' Experience of Women's Voting in Wyoming". In 1883, Rachel traveled through Europe with Susan B. Anthony.
In February 1888, Rachel organized the International Council of Women
International Council of Women
The International Council of Women was the first women's organization to work across national boundaries for the common cause of advocating human rights for women. In March and April 1888, women leaders came together in Washington D.C...
in Washington, D. C., under the auspices of the National Woman Suffrage Association.
On November 8, 1888, she married Cyrus Miller Avery.
Rachel later held the office of corresponding secretary of the National Woman Suffrage Association, and of the National and the International Council of Women
International Council of Women
The International Council of Women was the first women's organization to work across national boundaries for the common cause of advocating human rights for women. In March and April 1888, women leaders came together in Washington D.C...
.