Document 11: Letter from Mary White Ovington to Mrs. W. Spencer Murray, [New York], 12 January 1921, Mary Church Terrell Papers, Library of Congress (Microfilm, reel 2, #550).

 

Document 11: Letter from Mary White Ovington to Mrs. W. Spencer Murray, [New York], 12 January 1921, Mary Church Terrell Papers, Library of Congress (Microfilm, reel 2, #550).

Introduction

       In this letter, written to a New York suffrage leader, Ovington offered her analysis of Paul's motivations in denying Talbert a formal platform at the upcoming meeting: Paul's desire to placate her "southern white constituency." Ovington proposed to meet with members of the New York delegation in hopes of getting that group to support her efforts "to get the National Woman's Party interested in the Negro question."

 

                • January 12, 1921

Mrs. W. Spencer Murray,[A]
157 William Street.
Catskill, New York

My dear Mrs. Murray:

       Your most interesting letter is just received.

 

       A week from next Sunday I shall be in Boston where I go to attend a committee meeting. I could only come to you this coming Sunday, January 16, if you can get Lucy Branham[B] at that time.

 

       Here in New York Mrs. Agnes Leach[C] is working hard on this matter.

 

       I tried to get Mrs. Talbert as a speaker at the Conference in February but Miss Paul unquestionably is more influenced by her southern white constituency than by those northerners who believe in working for the colored woman.

 

       We have a lot of data here such as you want and I will bring it up with me Saturday or mail it to you if you do not go. Would it not be well for you to telegraph me whether I am to come or not.

 

       I have a lot to tell you regarding the returns I have had in my effort to get the National Woman's Party interested in the Negro question.

 

                • Always sincerely,

                  [Mary White Ovington]

                  Chairman.

MWO/RR

 

 
 

A. Mrs. Murray was the representative of the New York delegation at the Woman's Party Convention in 1921.
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B. Lucy Branham was an active member of the National Woman's Party after suffrage and she became famous for burning a speech of the president.
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C. Agnes Leach was the state chairman of the New York League of Women Voters and a peace activist.
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