Mary L. Langworthy

Mary L. Langworthy (, Lewis; March 31, 1872 – January 15, 1949) was an American dramatic coach, writer, lecturer, clubwoman, and civic leader. She lived in Chicago, Illinois, where she wrote and directed patriotic and educational pageants. She also served in an executive capacity for many organizations, including president of the Illinois Congress of Mothers and Parent–teacher association (beginning in 1914), and president of the Chicago Woman's Club (1924-25).

Early life and education Mary Ann Lewis was born in Alfred, New York, on March 31, 1872, the daughter of Abram Herbert and Augusta Melissa (Johnson) Lewis. The first American Lewis came from England and settled in Rhode Island. Her father was Abram Herbert Lewis, a professor of church history, and he was descended from a long line of Rhode Island Seventh Day Baptists. Through her mother, Langworthy descended from John Tanner, of pioneer stock, who came from England to Rhode Island. Other pageants included "Plantation Memories", "As the Child Learns", and "The Soul of Man". These were presented in the 1910s at Lewis Institute (now Illinois Institute of Technology), the Chicago Auditorium, and elsewhere. In 1921, she published the libretto for Elijah, a religious opera in six scenes, being a dramatization of Mendelssohn's oratorio.

As time passed, she became more interested in the lives of her pupils rather than in their dramatic performances. In Chicago, Langworthy saw the dangers threatening women in an industrial age. Though always a suffragist, as her parents had been before her, Langworthy was less concerned with votes for women than with womanliness for women. She began to lecture young women about life. She became identified with associations of teachers and parents for the preservation of the highest standards. As a lecturer, Langworthy was especially successful in public talks to young women. located near the Great Lakes Training Station.

In July 1924, Langworthy went with her husband to England to attend the meeting of the American Bar Association, held in London at the invitation of the English and Canadian Bar. After three weeks in England and Wales, they visited Holland, Belgium, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, the Tyrol, Italy, Switzerland, France and back to England, where a part of the pleasure for Mrs. Langworthy was a close observance of the functioning of these countries in the lines of sanitation, recreation, child protection and development, civic art and music, policing, housing, foods, and justice.

Selected works Pageants, written between 1910 and 1924 "The Hall and the Forga (educational) "Plantation Memories" (musical) "Independence Day" (patriotic) "As the Child Learns" (educational) "The Soul of Man" (religious)

Opera Elijah, a religious opera in 6 scenes, being a dramatization of Mendelssohn's oratorio (libretto only, 1921)