Emily Parmely Collins

Emily Parmely Collins (, Parmely; after first marriage, Peltier; after second marriage, Collins; pen name, Justitia; August 11, 1814 – April 14, 1909) was an American woman suffragist, women's rights activist, and writer of the long nineteenth century. She was the first woman in the United States to establish a society focused on woman suffrage and women's rights, in South Bristol, New York, in 1848. She was an early participant in the abolitionism movement, the temperance movement as well as a pioneer in the women's suffrage movement in the United States. She believed that the full development of a woman's capacities to be of supreme importance to the well-being of humanity; and advocated through the press for woman's educational, industrial and political rights. Collins died in 1909.

Early life Emily Parmely was born in Bristol, New York, on August 11, 1814, to James Parmely and Lydia Robbins Donelson who were early settlers of the "Genesee Country". Her ancestors on her father's side came from Kent County England and settled in Guilford, Connecticut, in 1639. Her father fought during the Revolutionary War in the 9th Connecticut Regiment.

As a child Emily Parmely was sensitive and shy, preferring to be alone with her pets and books. Early on, she became an industrious reader, especially of history and poetry.

Career Pre-war At age 16, Collins became a teacher of district number 11 in Burbee Hollow, Bristol, New York. She received a salary equal to male teachers, which was considered unusual at the time.

In 1832, she removed to Michigan with a brother where she taught in a log schoolhouse in the vicinity of Port Huron. In 1858, the family removed to Rochester, New York, remaining until 1869. Here, she was a member of the Unitarian church.

Collins was a volunteer nurse in Virginia. Her two sons, one a surgeon, the other a lawyer who had just been admitted to the bar, accompanying her. She wrote:— "I served as a volunteer nurse through the campaign of 1864 at the front in the Shenandoah Valley, with both of my sons, Dr. P. D. Peltier and Captain E. Burke Collins.

Louisiana In 1869, the family removed to Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, where Collins buried her second husband in 1876. Her second son, Captain E. Burke Collins, died in 1872. She was a resident of Louisiana for ten years. With Elizabeth Lisle Saxon, she continued her suffragist work. In addition to her sons, she had three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.