Anna Howard Shaw Doctor, clergywoman, suffragette Date of Birth: 14.02.1847 Country: Great Britain

1. Childhood and Early Life
2. Life in the Michigan Wilderness
3. Education and Calling
4. Ordination and Medical Studies
5. Suffrage Advocacy
6. Departure from NAWSA
7. Later Life and Legacy

Childhood and Early Life

Anna Howard Shaw was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, on February 14, 1847. When she was two years old, her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Lawrence, Massachusetts. A decade later, her father claimed 360 acres of wilderness in northern Michigan and sent his wife and five children to live on the newly acquired land.

Life in the Michigan Wilderness

Anna's mother had envisioned a picturesque farm life, but the reality was far from her dreams. Their home was a meager cabin in the heart of the wilderness, 40 miles from a post office and 100 miles from a railroad. The family faced attacks from Native Americans and wolves, and spent their days toiling on the land, including plowing and clearing trees.

Education and Calling

Despite her mother's depression, Anna became a strong and resourceful woman. She taught school at the age of 15 to help support her family. After learning about Marianna Thompson, a female Methodist minister, Anna decided to pursue her own calling as a religious leader. She later enrolled in Albion College and earned a degree in 1876.

Ordination and Medical Studies

Anna became the first American woman to be ordained and licensed as a minister in the Methodist Protestant Church. She pursued her medical studies at Boston University, earning a degree in 1886. During her medical studies, she became actively involved in the suffrage movement.

Suffrage Advocacy

Shaw joined the Women's Christian Temperance Union in 1886, and soon began advocating for women's suffrage. She became a prominent member of the Massachusetts Suffrage Association and later the American Woman Suffrage Association. In 1904, she was elected president of the AWSA, a position she held for 11 years.

Departure from NAWSA

As the suffrage movement gained momentum, some members advocated for more aggressive tactics. While Shaw supported the overall cause, she did not believe in violence. This led to her departure from the NAWSA in 1915.

Later Life and Legacy

Despite her departure from the NAWSA, Shaw continued to advocate for women's rights. She served on the Women's Committee of the United States Council of National Defense during World War I and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for her service.

Anna Howard Shaw passed away on July 2, 1919, just months before the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. She is remembered as a fearless advocate for women's rights and a pioneer in the fields of religion and medicine.