May Mann Jennings

May Mann Jennings (born May Austin Elizabeth Mann; April 25, 1872 – April 24, 1963) was an American activist who was the first lady of Florida from 1901 to 1905. As one of Florida's most powerful and influential women, she was a leader of organizations, both civic and philanthropic, and founder of the League of Women Voters of Florida. Her father, Austin Mann, was a state senator and May Mann worked as his assistant when he ran for and was elected state representative. She became the first lady of Florida as wife of Governor William Sherman Jennings and is credited with having advanced his political career significantly through relationships gained while working for her father and through her many activities.

Early years May Mann was born in the Centerville section of Bayonne, New Jersey. Her parents moved to Crystal River, Florida, in 1874. While living there her father, Austin Mann, was elected to the Florida Senate. Her mother, Rachel Mann, died in 1882 when May was nine, and her father sent May and her younger sister away to St. Joseph Academy in St. Augustine, Florida. The children spent vacations with their father in Tallahassee when the Legislature was in session. May was very bright and learned everything she could about people, politics, and the Capitol. She was valedictorian of her class when she graduated in 1889 and chose to continue in her studies at St. Joseph's Academy for an additional post-graduate year.

Marriage May Mann met Hernando County Judge William Sherman Jennings at her father's home near Brooksville, and a courtship began. May's father won election to the office of state senator and when the legislative session began in January 1891, May went to Tallahassee to serve as aide to her father. She was responsible for his appointments, correspondence, and hosting social events. William then ran for and was elected governor of Florida in 1900. Many credit his meteoric rise in the state Democratic Party to May's extensive knowledge of state politics and politicians and to her vast network of relationships throughout the state among the Florida Federation of Women's Club members. Her husband died in 1920. With the League, Jennings successfully campaigned for universal cattle dipping in Florida starting in 1923 (to combat tick-borne bovine babesiosis), but lobbied unsuccessfully in 1929 and 1931 for a 48-hour work week for women.

Legacy May Jennings was known as the "Mother of Florida Forestry" for her part in promoting and securing the legislative act that created the Florida State Board of Forestry,

Honors In 1929, Stetson University awarded May Jennings an honorary Doctor of Laws for her tireless civic and political work for a dozen worthy causes. In 2008, she was also honored as a Great Floridian in the revived program. May A. Mann Jennings Hall at the University of Florida was named in her honor in 1962.