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Brown, Mary E. (1865 — 1948)

Mary E. Brown, Suffragist and Advocate for Women’s Rights (1865 — 1948)

 

Mary E. Brown, Suffragist Who Picketed the White House and Was Imprisoned
Mary E. Brown, Suffragist Who Picketed the White House and Was Imprisoned
Photo: Cheryl Valentine Watson

Editor’s NoteThe newspaper clips and images in this entry were provided to the Social Welfare History Project by Mary E. Brown’s great-granddaughter:  Cheryl Valentine Watson.  Watson is the daughter of Lesher Valentine, a grandson of Mary Brown, whose name appears in Mrs. Brown’s obit.

Mary E. Brown (1865-1948) – Suffragist and Life-Long Advocate for Women’s Rights

Mary E. Brown was a native of Delaware and an outstanding advocate for women’s rights.  Her father was Captain Thomas Crowley, one of the leaders of the First Delaware Regiment in the Civil War.  She had two children: a son, Walter Garrett Valentine and a daughter, Madeleine Brown Brice.

In January, 1919, Mary Brown was one of the suffragists who picketed the White House during President Woodrow Wilson’s Administration and was arrested for her efforts advocating for the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote.  She was sentenced and spent five days in the District of Columbia’s jail.  She received a silver cell door pin that was given to the women who were imprisoned for picketing.

Subsequently, Mary Brown continued her advocacy for women’s rights by touring the country, speaking and actively participating in the National Woman’s Party. She was the Regional Director for the Eastern area and treasurer of the Delaware Branch of the National Woman’s Party.

Mary Brown died December 21, 1948. She is buried at Mount Salem Cemetery in Wilmington, DE.

How to Cite this Article (APA Format): Social Welfare History Project (2013). Mary E. Brown, suffragist and advocate for women’s rights (1865 — 1948). Social Welfare History Project. Retrieved [date accessed] from https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/woman-suffrage/brown-mary-e-suffragist/

Telegram dated January 13, 1919 from Mary Brown to her Son notifying him she had been arrested and sentenced to 5 day in the District of Columbia jail.
Telegram dated January 13, 1919 from Mary Brown to her son notifying him she had been arrested for picketing the White House and sentenced to 5 days in the District of Columbia jail.
Photo: Cheryl Valentine Watson
Telegram from Walter L. Brown addressed to his mother at the District of Columbia jail. His message was: "Congratulations on Your Fight for Democracy."
Telegram from Walter L. Brown addressed to his mother at the District of Columbia jail. His message was: “Congratulations on Your Fight for Democracy.”
Photo: Cheryl Valentine Watson
Images of the Pin awarded to women who were imprisoned for picketing the White House
Images of the Pins awarded to women who were imprisoned for picketing the White House
Photo: Cheryl Valentine Watson
Lucy Branham with poster protesting the imprisonment of women who picketed the White House. Source: Library of Congress, Harris & Ewing Collection
Lucy Branham with poster protesting the imprisonment of women who picketed the White House
Photo: Library of Congress
Digital ID hec 11942
Mary Brown and other suffragists touring the country in support of the Equal Rights Amendment
Mary Brown and other suffragists touring the country in support of the Equal Rights Amendment
Photo: Cheryl Valentine Watson
Flyer for the Silver Anniversary of passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in 1920.
Flyer for the Silver Anniversary of passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in 1920
Photo: Cheryl Valentine Watson
National Woman's Party Leadership - 1943-45. Alice Paul #6 was National Chairman; #35, Mary Brown was a Regional Representative for the Eastern Area
National Woman’s Party Leadership – 1943-45. Alice Paul #6 was National Chairman; #35, Mary Brown was a Regional Representative for the Eastern Area
Photo: Cheryl Valentine Watson
Mary E. Brown's Membership Card for the National Woman's Party
Mary E. Brown’s Membership Card for the National Woman’s Party
Photo: Cheryl Valentine Watson
Portrait and Obit Announcing the Death of Mary E. Brown
Portrait and Obit Announcing the Death of Mary E. Brown
Photo: Cheryl Valentine Watson