Biographical Database of NAWSA Suffragists, 1890-1920
Biography of Helen (Mrs. W.F.) Sudro, 1884-1952
By Beth Twomey, librarian, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota
Helen Marie Vogley was born October 25, 1884 in Elyria, Ohio to Andrew and Mary Vogley. She married William Frederick Sudro on June 16, 1907 in Elyria. They had two daughters, Jane and Deborah.
Mrs. Sudro was one of the founding members of the first active suffragist organization in North Dakota. Inspired by a talk about suffrage given at the Fargo Theater by Sylvia Pankhurst on February 5, 1912, a group of suffrage-minded women held a meeting in the home of Mrs. R.E. Weible, presided over by Mrs. R.M. Pollack. Mrs. Sudro served as the assistant treasurer for the new organization.
Mrs. Sudro also belonged to the Fargo Votes for Woman League and served on the programming committee for events organized to promote suffrage. She also served as the treasurer and was part of the effort to create Votes for Women Branches across the state.
Mrs. Sudro also served on the Board of Directors for the Y.M.C.A. and was a member of the Fortnightly Club where she served as the recording secretary. She was also active in women's groups at North Dakota Agricultural College where her husband was the Dean of the School of Pharmacy, frequently hosting the faculty ladies' circle.
Mrs. Sudro died in Fargo at the age of 68 after a heart attack on October 27, 1952.
SOURCES:
"Additional Society" The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.), 30 May 1917. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85042224/1917-05-30/ed-1/seq-6/
"Fargo Has Suffragist Society" The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.), 06 Feb. 1912. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85042373/1912-02-06/ed-1/seq-6/
Helen Vogley. Ancestry.com. Ohio, U.S., Births and Christenings Index, 1774-1973 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
"Mrs. Sudro, Wife of Dean, Is Dead at 68" Fargo Forum, October 28, 1952
"Organization to be Permanent one with Branch leagues Throughout the State" The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.), 17 Feb. 1912. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85042224/1912-02-17/ed-1/seq-12/
"Social Notes" The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.), 10 Jan. 1912. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85042224/1912-01-10/ed-1/seq-5/
"Work of Women's Clubs Throughout the State" The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.), 06 March 1912. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85042373/1912-03-06/ed-1/seq-6/
"Work of Women's Clubs Throughout the State" The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.), 20 March 1912. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85042373/1912-03-20/ed-1/seq-6/