The Kearney Convention

The October 1881 Nebraska Woman Suffrage Association Conference was well-documented by the Western Woman's Journal, offering an important look at the ways Nebraska leadership and workers used conventions for motivation and organizing. Beyond those immediate concerns, however, incorporating digital tools reveals the extent of the networks that developed among Nebraska's suffrage supporters and the issues of space and movement that were so important in the development of the campaign.

Mrs. Sydenham's welcome to the Kearney Convention

NEBRASKA WOMAN SUFFRAGE CONVENTION
Held at Kearney, October 18th and 19th 1881

The third general convention and first delegate convention of the Nebraska Woman Suffrage Association, was held October 18th and 19th in the M. E. Church, Kearney. The President, Mrs. Harriet S. Brooks called the convention to order at 10:30 o'clock, Tuesday, October 18th and introduced Mrs. A. Collins, of Kearney, who opened the meeting with prayer, followed by music furnished by a local quartette.

Mrs. S. H. Sydenham of Kearney, delivered the beautiful address of welcome, as follows
LADIES--Voicing the sentiment of members of our society, as well as many of the citizens of our young city, we welcome you as comrades and fellow workers in this great scheme, which, if it had been carried out ages ago would have been the redemption of the world-the, enfranchisement of women. We all know that the customs of the Orient make of women mere toys-and worse-places women upon the level of a domestic animal, to be caressed or tyrannized over, according to the caprice of her lord and master, and this custom dates hack almost, if not quite, to the foundation of the world. We read that Greece and Rome were as much perplexed over this social problem, concerning women, as we to-day are; nay, more, for with Americans the question of woman's capability is no longer a problem to be solved by the primitive heathen. An eminent writer once said: "A woman jumps at one bound to a conclusion that men will be three weeks in reaching," thus admitting a clearness of perception, which, with added culture of mind and heart, will place women in the front rank of reformation in governmental affairs. It is said that medieval Europe maintains the supremacy of the man over the woman as rigidly as Asia has done, and even in old England, woman's right, especially of property, are scarcely recognized. How is it in Wyoming, where woman suffrage has become a law? At the polls, where it has been held that women ought not to appear as a place unfit for refined ladies, we find the most perfect order prevailing, and throughout the territory a system of government which becomes more and more popular each year.

And the time has come when we, too, must act. It may seem a pretty role for women-that of a dreamy, luxurious life, but life's dream is too realistic: we, too, must think, act and live the lives our Creator designed for us. In this we do not lessen, but heighten our womanhood. Woman is not less a woman because she is brave enough to face a foe, neither is she less a mother, less a wife.

Then, ladies of this convention, we more than welcome you as co-workers in the elevation of our race; and let us lay our plans so wisely in the coming campaign that when our advance lines go out, defeat may never be traced upon our banners in the coming battle for liberty and equality.

Western Woman's Journal, 119

Close

The Kearney Convention, networks, and travel

Scheduled just six months into the 1881-1882 campaign, the event at Kearney drew supporters from all over the state. Local and county officers journeyed to Kearney, which was conveniently located on the main line of the Union Pacific - but still a 9 hour train ride from Omaha and nearly that from Lincoln. Other associations elected delegates to attend on their behalf and individuals attended as well, including a determined women who, "in order to attend the convention, rode thirty-five miles in a lumber wagon and another forty miles on a load of wheat."

Using Western Woman's Journal reports, I have entered names, organizations, and other conference affiliations for each individual named as a Kearney attendee. The JavaScript InfoVis Toolkit used to create this visualization allows highlighting and manipulation of nodes.

Link to full network visualization

To further delve into the issues of networks and space, go to this Exhibit visualization of suffragists and organizations and use the left side panel to sort for "Kearney Convention" or explore the Google Earth representation of suffragists at Kearney.

Close