Mary Eliza Project
@maryelizaproject.bsky.social
that time in 1920 when 56k+ women in Boston claimed their right to vote
history, data, maps, stories
linktr.ee/maryelizaproject
history, data, maps, stories
linktr.ee/maryelizaproject
On #NationalChocolateDay, we are spotlighting two new voters who worked as chocolate dippers for the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO). Best known for Necco Wafers, the company occupied a complex in South Boston from 1902 to 1927.
October 28, 2025 at 5:49 PM
On #NationalChocolateDay, we are spotlighting two new voters who worked as chocolate dippers for the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO). Best known for Necco Wafers, the company occupied a complex in South Boston from 1902 to 1927.
In 1920, Lilian T. Piotti (Moynihan) served on an executive committee of a Memorial Service featuring the Boston Italian Symphony in “Aid of Free Italian Home for Children.” The event was planned as the “largest Italian demonstration ever staged in this city.” Image: Boston Post, Sat. June 5, 1920
October 22, 2025 at 4:31 PM
In 1920, Lilian T. Piotti (Moynihan) served on an executive committee of a Memorial Service featuring the Boston Italian Symphony in “Aid of Free Italian Home for Children.” The event was planned as the “largest Italian demonstration ever staged in this city.” Image: Boston Post, Sat. June 5, 1920
For #PolishAmericanHeritageMonth, we are spotlighting Rae M. (Burnce) Davidson, who registered to vote on October 6, 1920, as a resident of East Boston. Image from The Boston City Archives
October 16, 2025 at 5:48 PM
For #PolishAmericanHeritageMonth, we are spotlighting Rae M. (Burnce) Davidson, who registered to vote on October 6, 1920, as a resident of East Boston. Image from The Boston City Archives
When Eva Ryerson Ludgate registered to vote on October 13, 1920, she gave her occupation as "Congregational Minister." One newspaper account claimed that she was the youngest ordained Congregational minister in the United States! Image: Library of Congress
October 13, 2025 at 4:58 PM
When Eva Ryerson Ludgate registered to vote on October 13, 1920, she gave her occupation as "Congregational Minister." One newspaper account claimed that she was the youngest ordained Congregational minister in the United States! Image: Library of Congress
On the evening of Saturday, October 9, 1920, Lili Shapiro registered to vote at the North End's Prince Street School in Boston. Lili was an artist who designed and crafted original ceramics. She was also an active participant in the North End’s Saturday Evening Girls. Image: Historic New England
October 9, 2025 at 3:54 PM
On the evening of Saturday, October 9, 1920, Lili Shapiro registered to vote at the North End's Prince Street School in Boston. Lili was an artist who designed and crafted original ceramics. She was also an active participant in the North End’s Saturday Evening Girls. Image: Historic New England
Over 1K of the 1920 New Boston Women Voters worked as Teachers and/or Instructors. #WorldTeachersDay
October 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Over 1K of the 1920 New Boston Women Voters worked as Teachers and/or Instructors. #WorldTeachersDay
Barbara Einstein registered to vote on Oct. 11, 1920. She repeatedly performed in concerts held at Pilgrim Church in Dorchester, including a performance of the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah." Image from Historic New England.
September 24, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Barbara Einstein registered to vote on Oct. 11, 1920. She repeatedly performed in concerts held at Pilgrim Church in Dorchester, including a performance of the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah." Image from Historic New England.
For #ClassicalMusicMonth, we feature two new voters, Jessie Nute Bennett and Barbara (Loewenstein) Einstein, who performed as soloists in classical music concerts throughout Boston. Image: The Boston Globe, Mon, Jan 08, 1923, Page 4.
September 24, 2025 at 5:48 PM
For #ClassicalMusicMonth, we feature two new voters, Jessie Nute Bennett and Barbara (Loewenstein) Einstein, who performed as soloists in classical music concerts throughout Boston. Image: The Boston Globe, Mon, Jan 08, 1923, Page 4.
Chelsea-born Mary S. Keene's career included teaching at Chelsea High School, then serving as director of the High School of Practical Arts until 1928. In 1917, she presented on Food brands to the Roxbury Mothers’ Club. She registered to vote on Oct. 5, 1920. Image The Boston Globe, 1926
September 15, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Chelsea-born Mary S. Keene's career included teaching at Chelsea High School, then serving as director of the High School of Practical Arts until 1928. In 1917, she presented on Food brands to the Roxbury Mothers’ Club. She registered to vote on Oct. 5, 1920. Image The Boston Globe, 1926
As many of us head back to school, we recognize two of the nine voters who worked at High School for the Practical Arts in Roxbury. The school opened in 1913 to teach girls home and work skills, including nursing and home economics. Image from Boston Women’s
Heritage Trail
Heritage Trail
September 15, 2025 at 5:21 PM
As many of us head back to school, we recognize two of the nine voters who worked at High School for the Practical Arts in Roxbury. The school opened in 1913 to teach girls home and work skills, including nursing and home economics. Image from Boston Women’s
Heritage Trail
Heritage Trail
The 1920 Boston Register of Women Voters contains multiple success stories like Josephine’s — but also hundreds of women whose entries stayed crossed out. In 1920, immigrant women residing in the United States faced, and continue to face today, barriers to exercising their rights.
August 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The 1920 Boston Register of Women Voters contains multiple success stories like Josephine’s — but also hundreds of women whose entries stayed crossed out. In 1920, immigrant women residing in the United States faced, and continue to face today, barriers to exercising their rights.
But just one day later, Josephine returned — and was successful! This image shows her accepted registration entry listing her father’s 1888 naturalization papers.
August 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
But just one day later, Josephine returned — and was successful! This image shows her accepted registration entry listing her father’s 1888 naturalization papers.
Why was this woman’s voter registration crossed out? When Josephine Bowen tried to register to vote in Boston on September 8, 1920, her attempt was rejected because of the clerk’s note: “no papers.” At that time in the United States, a woman’s citizenship status was tenuous. @universalhub.com
August 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Why was this woman’s voter registration crossed out? When Josephine Bowen tried to register to vote in Boston on September 8, 1920, her attempt was rejected because of the clerk’s note: “no papers.” At that time in the United States, a woman’s citizenship status was tenuous. @universalhub.com
Forelady Ida D. Cohen (age 25), immigrated with her Yiddish-speaking parents before 1900, likely from what is now Poland. Her father became a naturalized citizen in Chelsea, Massachusetts in 1905. She registered to vote on November 24th, 1920, after the 1920 national election.
July 13, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Forelady Ida D. Cohen (age 25), immigrated with her Yiddish-speaking parents before 1900, likely from what is now Poland. Her father became a naturalized citizen in Chelsea, Massachusetts in 1905. She registered to vote on November 24th, 1920, after the 1920 national election.
The Boston born voters included Cracker Packer Catherine Savage (age 27), who registered to vote on October 13th, 1920 with her Cork County, Ireland born mother Elizabeth (Walsh) Savage (age 55). Elizabeth immigrated in 1887, prior to her 1891 marriage. The two women lived at 11 Tremont Place.
July 13, 2025 at 11:13 PM
The Boston born voters included Cracker Packer Catherine Savage (age 27), who registered to vote on October 13th, 1920 with her Cork County, Ireland born mother Elizabeth (Walsh) Savage (age 55). Elizabeth immigrated in 1887, prior to her 1891 marriage. The two women lived at 11 Tremont Place.
The new voters held a variety of jobs, including those of packers, inspectors, and stenographers. Of the 16 women, over 90% were born in Massachusetts with the majority born in Boston.
July 13, 2025 at 11:13 PM
The new voters held a variety of jobs, including those of packers, inspectors, and stenographers. Of the 16 women, over 90% were born in Massachusetts with the majority born in Boston.
At least 16 of Boston's new voters in 1920 worked for the Loose Wiles Biscuit Company, based at 226 Causeway Street. According to @westendmuseum.bsky.social the company began in 1906 as The Austin Biscuit Company and produced a variety of packaged baked goods.🧵
July 13, 2025 at 11:13 PM
At least 16 of Boston's new voters in 1920 worked for the Loose Wiles Biscuit Company, based at 226 Causeway Street. According to @westendmuseum.bsky.social the company began in 1906 as The Austin Biscuit Company and produced a variety of packaged baked goods.🧵
Ethel B. Scott registered to vote on October 1st, 1920, with 277 other Boston women. Her right to vote was dependent on her Allston-born husband’s citizenship status.
What stories of new voters traveling do you expect from researching 1920 New Women Voters in historic newspapers?
What stories of new voters traveling do you expect from researching 1920 New Women Voters in historic newspapers?
June 25, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Ethel B. Scott registered to vote on October 1st, 1920, with 277 other Boston women. Her right to vote was dependent on her Allston-born husband’s citizenship status.
What stories of new voters traveling do you expect from researching 1920 New Women Voters in historic newspapers?
What stories of new voters traveling do you expect from researching 1920 New Women Voters in historic newspapers?
Travels of Boston's new women voters in 1920 can be found in local historic newspapers. For #CaribbeanHeritageMonth, we focus on a 1911 @bostonglobe.com story of Jamaica born voter Ethel (Parcells) Scott, encountering rough seas when returning to Boston from a trip to Jamaica. 🧵
June 25, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Travels of Boston's new women voters in 1920 can be found in local historic newspapers. For #CaribbeanHeritageMonth, we focus on a 1911 @bostonglobe.com story of Jamaica born voter Ethel (Parcells) Scott, encountering rough seas when returning to Boston from a trip to Jamaica. 🧵
Leaving Boston, Jessup joined the Home Economics faculty at Flagstaff Teachers College in Arizona. In 1927, she returned to Oregon to become the Dean of Women at her alma mater. This image of OSU's Snell Hall is from the time when she served. heritage.lib.pacificu.edu/s/exhibits/i...
June 13, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Leaving Boston, Jessup joined the Home Economics faculty at Flagstaff Teachers College in Arizona. In 1927, she returned to Oregon to become the Dean of Women at her alma mater. This image of OSU's Snell Hall is from the time when she served. heritage.lib.pacificu.edu/s/exhibits/i...
Listed as a “Housewife” in the voter registers, Jessup earned a Bachelor of Science from Oregon Agricultural College (now OSU). From 1919 to 1923, she worked in Boston-area social services. She registered to vote on Aug. 18, 1920, with housemate, Pauline E. Nelson.
June 13, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Listed as a “Housewife” in the voter registers, Jessup earned a Bachelor of Science from Oregon Agricultural College (now OSU). From 1919 to 1923, she worked in Boston-area social services. She registered to vote on Aug. 18, 1920, with housemate, Pauline E. Nelson.
As team member, Laura Kitchings, prepares to present at #ASFS40 at Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, we found 1920 Boston Voter Lorna C. (Collamore) Jessup, who later served as the Dean of Women at the University. 🧵
Image : Corvallis Gazette-Times, Sat, Mar 29, 1958 ·Page 5
Image : Corvallis Gazette-Times, Sat, Mar 29, 1958 ·Page 5
June 13, 2025 at 4:03 PM
As team member, Laura Kitchings, prepares to present at #ASFS40 at Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, we found 1920 Boston Voter Lorna C. (Collamore) Jessup, who later served as the Dean of Women at the University. 🧵
Image : Corvallis Gazette-Times, Sat, Mar 29, 1958 ·Page 5
Image : Corvallis Gazette-Times, Sat, Mar 29, 1958 ·Page 5
She celebrated her 80th birthday in 1954 at Boston’s Freedom House, founded in 1949 and a center of community activism for African Americans in the city.
Thread by @laurarprieto.bsky.social
Thread by @laurarprieto.bsky.social
June 1, 2025 at 8:14 PM
She celebrated her 80th birthday in 1954 at Boston’s Freedom House, founded in 1949 and a center of community activism for African Americans in the city.
Thread by @laurarprieto.bsky.social
Thread by @laurarprieto.bsky.social
At the time she registered to vote, Maude was Assistant Editor at "The Guardian," a newspaper founded by her brother, William Monroe Trotter. She was also active in numerous social justice and cultural organizations, including the Women's League and the Boston Equal Rights League.
June 1, 2025 at 8:14 PM
At the time she registered to vote, Maude was Assistant Editor at "The Guardian," a newspaper founded by her brother, William Monroe Trotter. She was also active in numerous social justice and cultural organizations, including the Women's League and the Boston Equal Rights League.
Maude attended Wellesley College, not the first Black graduate as some sources claim, but one of the earliest Black students there. She later married Charles Steward, who had migrated from Macon, Georgia, and was a prominent Black Bostonian in his own right.
June 1, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Maude attended Wellesley College, not the first Black graduate as some sources claim, but one of the earliest Black students there. She later married Charles Steward, who had migrated from Macon, Georgia, and was a prominent Black Bostonian in his own right.