Mary Simpson Sperry

Mary Elizabeth Simpson Sperry (died 1921), was a leading California suffragist. She served as president of the California Woman Suffrage Association in 1900-1907.

Suffrage work

Mary Sperry was one of the leading suffragists in the state of California, specifically San Francisco, and was personally supported by noted suffragist Susan B. Anthony. Mary Sperry also worked alongside Carrie Chapman Catt and Anna Shaw. Her work as treasurer was recognized in the History of Woman Suffrage published by Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. In volume VI of that publication it was noted that Sperry participated in a major suffrage conference in San Francisco in 1902. In a letter dated September 30, 1911, Sperry wrote to Hearst saying, ""I wish to acknowledge the pleasure it gave me at our recent Club meeting, when you told me that you favored 'Votes for Women.' Perhaps you do not realize how much it means to me, who have worked for it so long, to know that women like you are on our side." Sperry wrote opinion articles advocating for the passage of what was known as Amendment 6. Much of her work was organized from Market Street in San Francisco. National suffragist Anna Howard Shaw was quoted on this failed campaign as saying "it was not a Waterloo; it was Bunker Hill." The Susan B. Anthony Club was formed in Mary Sperry's home shortly after the campaign failed; she served as the club's president for many years. Sperry was involved in this organization from the beginning and worked with many other California suffragists including Gail Laughlin, Ellen C. Sargent, Alice L. Park and Minora Kibbe. On October 3, 1908, Sperry was unanimously re-elected as the organization's president for a seventh year in a row.

1911 campaign in California

Sperry was politically active in the 1911 campaign for women's suffrage in California. That year she served as president of the Susan B. Anthony Club. In the early 1900s, Sperry served as president of the California Woman Suffrage Association where she organized hundreds of suffragists. Sperry served as president of this organization from 1902 to 1909, succeeding Mary Wood Swift. The Stockton Record published Sperry's successful re-election in 1903. In 1905, Mary Sperry presided over a major suffrage convention on Sutter Street in San Francisco. Suffragist Dr. Minora Kibbe also attended this convention.

Political activism Sperry lobbied for suffrage through a variety of different organizations including the Century Club, the Susan B. Anthony Club and the California Club. She played a pivotal role in securing women's suffrage in the state of California and was photographed voting in the 1912 California election.

Personal life

Mary Elizabeth Simpson was born in Brunswick, Maine on June 3, 1833. together they had four children. Her personal wealth helped fund the suffrage cause in California.

Mary Sperry died April 1921.