Loula Roberts Platt

Loula E. Roberts Platt (October 14, 1863 – December 27, 1934), also known as Lulu Platt and Mrs. Charles M. Platt, was an American suffragist, socialite, hotelier and political candidate. She was a founding member of the Equal Suffrage League of North Carolina, serving as vice president and president, and a founding member of the Suffrage League of Asheville, serving as chairwoman and president. In 1922, Platt campaigned as a Democrat for a seat in the North Carolina Senate, becoming the first woman to run for a senate seat in North Carolina and the second woman, following Lillian Exum Clement, to run for a seat in the North Carolina General Assembly.

Early life and education Platt was born Loula E. Roberts on October 14, 1863, in Buncombe County, North Carolina to Captain Goodson McDaniel Roberts, an officer in the Confederate States Army, and Frances Ray Roberts.

She was educated at Asheville Female College in North Carolina and The Pennington Seminary and Female Collegiate Institute in New Jersey. Upon their marriage, she moved with her husband to Franklin. The Manor was located along a streetcar line and had steam heat, electric lights, and fireplaces. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the United Daughters of the Confederacy and served as the chairwoman of the local O. Henry Memorial Movement.

She was a founding member of the Equal Suffrage League of North Carolina and served as vice president. She was reelected to a second term in the league in July 1914 and, in 1915, she was elected president. She was also a founding member of the Suffrage League of Asheville, serving as chairwoman and later serving four terms as the league's president.

In 1920, she attended the annual state convention of the North Carolina Equal Suffrage League in Greensboro. When the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution passed, granting women the right to vote, Platt received an engraved plaque with the signature of Carrie Chapman Catt, former president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association.

Platt was engaged in public affairs, presenting speeches and hosting fundraising campaigns in support of women's suffrage. In December 1919, she spoke before members of the Kiwanis Club in Asheville. Political cartoon announcing Platt's candidacy (putting her "hat in the ring") for NC Senate by Billy Borne for the Asheville Citizen, January 23, 1922. In 1920, Platt served as one of five women delegates to the State Democratic Convention. She canvassed in North Carolina's 10th congressional district in 1920 and gave speeches in every precinct.

In 1922, she announced her candidacy for the North Carolina Senate, becoming the first woman to run for the Democratic nomination as a state senator. She lost the election.

Death Platt died on December 27, 1934, in Asheville. She was buried next to her husband, on December 29, 1934, in Riverside Cemetery.