Louisville Equal Rights Association Minute book, 1889-1895

We must follow them up closely with others and with this in view the Secretary was instructed to write to Miss Clay and ascertain when the Committee appointed to visit the Legislature would be in Frankfort, as it was thought a meeting just before that time would assist their work. The Dec was given discretionaty power to call the members together to hear Miss Clay's reply, and to make arrangements for such a meeting. A vote of thanks was tendered Mrs Johnson for her untiring efforts in raising means and making arrangements which alone made it possible to have the Convention meet here. Thanks were also tendered Mrs Hibberd for the use of her house for the reception. Resolutions were adopted expressing the thanks of the Association for the eloquent addresses of the Rev. C.J.K. Jones, and J.H. Heywood, at the closing meeting of the Convention. A motion was then made to change the member constituting a quorum from 5 to 3, to facilitate the transacting of business. The motion was seconded and carried. The meeting the adjourned.

Minutes of Meeting January 15th 1892. This meeting was called by the Secretary, as authorized, Mrs Leech presiding. A letter from Miss Clay was read which advised having the proposed meeting as soon as possible, and also that Mrs Henry be invited to advocate the cause if Equal Rights in the occasion. Miss Beeler moved that we have the meeting, which was seconded and carried. After discussion it was decided to procure Baldwin's

Hall and also to invite Judge L.H. Noble to present the law as it is, in regard to women's property, and that Mrs Henry be invited to speak in behalf of equal property rights. It was further decided to send invitations to all of our representatives in Frankfort to be present at the meeting, and that it be advertised for Jan 30th in all the city papers. The meeting then adjourned.

Minutes of Meeting February 5th 1892

This regular monthly meeting was held at the usual time and place, Mrs Leech in The Chair. Muc of the time of the meeting was devoted to arranging a petition with the appended signatures, to be sent to our representatives at Frankfort. The petition asked the consideration by the Louisville members of both branches of the Legislature, of such a bill as would give the women of Kentucky control of their own income ability to make a will, and equal rights with fathers in the custody of their children. The meeting of January 30th at Baldwin's Hall was well attended, and much interest aroused in quarters when the subject of equal rights had not before met with much consideration. Mrs Henry's appeal was in her usual earnest style, and Judge Noble's clear and impartial exposition of the present laws was listened to with profound attention. The Treasurers report showed that after all the expenses incurred for this meeting had been paid, there still remained in the treasury $14.80. A resolution was adopted

expressing deep regret at the loss, by removal to San Francisco Cal., of our earnest and faithful member, Mrs Mary H. Johnson. A resolution was also adopted expressing our thanks to Judge Noble for his able and desinterested effore in our behalf. The meeting then adjourned.

Minutes of Meeting March 4th 1892.

In the absence of the President and Vice President, the Secretary presided. On motion the reading of the minutes was dispensed with. The Treasurer reported $16.30 in the treasury - $1.50 having been donated by Mrs Johnson since the meeting of February 5th and not disbursements. Mrs Avery submitted her report of the work done in Frankfort by the Committee appointed to visit the Legislature, which was extremely interesting, and showed encouraging results. Mrs Avery also reported having written to Mr McDermott and Mr Knott of the City Charter revision Committee, and Mrs Hibberd reported a visit made by her in the name of the E.R.A. to Mr McDermott, both for the purpose of procuring the insertion of a clause in the revised Charter granting women power to vote, and be voted for, at school elections. The gentlemen promised to consider the requests. There being no further business the meeting then adjourned.

Minutes of April Meeting 1892.

The meeting was called to order by the President. The reading and adoption of the minutes, was followed by a report from the Treasurer, showing the amount in the reasury to be $16.30. This being the annual meeting an election of officers for the ensuing year was next in order, and resulted as follows. Mrs C.A Leech President Miss Emily Beeler Vice President Mrs M.F. Rogers Treasurer Mrs M.F. Hibberd Secretary Mrs Jennie E. Speed and Mrs W.H. Bradbury were received as members of the Association. The meeting then adjourned.

Minutes of Meeting April 4th 1893.

This was the first meeting since April 1892. Mrs Leech, Mrs Avery, and Mrs Hibberd, present. Mrs C.B. Robinson sent her name and annual due with the request to be enrolled as a member. Mrs Cady, and Mrs Buchanan, also sent dues. Officers elected at the preceeding annual meeting were continued. The meeting then adjourned.

Minutes November 10th 1894.

A meeting of the Louisville Equal Rights Association wa called for Nov 10th 1894, these having been no meeting since April 4th 1893. Mrs C.A. Leech presiding, gave an interesting account of the annual meeting of the State Association which she attended on October 17th 18th and 19th. The general work for the year as outlined by the state asso. being in the interest of school suffrage for women. The second class cities of the state have the suffrage secured to them and it is important that in Louisville, the only first class city in the state, we make an earnest effort to obtain the same right. A motion was made by Mrs Hayden and seconded by Miss Beeler, that we make school suffrage our work for the year. The motion was carried. After discussing methods of work it was decided that the President should advise with Mr J.M. Chatterson, a prominent member of the School Board known to favor school suffrage for women and report at the next meeting. The dues from local associations to the State organization having been changed by the Convention fro 25cts to 35cts, Miss Beeler moved that the additional 10cts per member be sent to the state treasurer, and the corresponding change made in our constitution. Carried. The change in membership fees from $1.00 to 50cts was discussed, and decided in favor of the reduction, at least for this year, as an experiment, Miss Beeler moved that our next meeting be a week from the following Monday, Nov 19th, at 3 o'clock. Carried. The meeting then adjourned.