This tireless activist became known as the "Mother of Suffrage" in Georgia...
Mary Latimer McLendon
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Mary Latimer McLendon, along with her older sister Rebecca Latimer Felton, was a leader in the prohibition and woman suffrage movements in Georgia. She is perhaps best known for her long tenure as president of the Georgia Women's Suffrage Association (GWSA). After her death in 1921, the GWSA and Georgia Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) placed a marble fountain bearing her likeness in the state capitol; the inscription recognizes her as the "Mother of Suffrage in Georgia."
Mary Latimer was born in DeKalb County in 1840, the daughter of Eleanor Swift and Charles Latimer. A graduate of the Southern Masonic Female College in Covington, she married Nicholas A. McLendon in 1860 and moved to Atlanta. When Union troops ordered Atlanta evacuated during the Civil War (1861-65), she and her family moved to Crawfordville, returning to Atlanta in 1868. |
In 1894, McLendon founded the Atlanta chapter of the GWSA, the second local woman suffrage organization to be established in the state. By 1896 she was president of the state organization, serving in that capacity until 1899 and then from 1906 until her death in 1921. Though often opposed to the tactics of rival suffrage organizations in the state, McLendon led the GWSA to join with them to sponsor parades and distribute leaflets on behalf of the cause. Beginning in 1913, she wrote a series of newspaper columns in support of woman suffrage and other reforms.
After years of GWSA campaigning, Atlanta permitted municipal woman suffrage in 1919. In that same year the U.S. Congress approved the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. Despite the Georgia legislature's opposition, the amendment was ratified in August 1920. State authorities, however, refused to let women vote in the November elections because they had not registered by the spring deadline. McLendon spent the last year of her life working to ensure that the state of Georgia recognized women's right to vote.
Mary McLendon died November 20, 1921, survived by a daughter, Nellie Henderson, and a grandson.
Source: New Georgia Encyclopedia
After years of GWSA campaigning, Atlanta permitted municipal woman suffrage in 1919. In that same year the U.S. Congress approved the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. Despite the Georgia legislature's opposition, the amendment was ratified in August 1920. State authorities, however, refused to let women vote in the November elections because they had not registered by the spring deadline. McLendon spent the last year of her life working to ensure that the state of Georgia recognized women's right to vote.
Mary McLendon died November 20, 1921, survived by a daughter, Nellie Henderson, and a grandson.
Source: New Georgia Encyclopedia
"In 1848 Atlanta was only a small country village in the heart of an almost impenetrable wilderness, surrounded by huge forest trees and thick undergrowth. Now we have a magnificent city, with long stretches of magnificent thoroughfares, and many of her streets paved with the best material known... Atlanta was built up my mechanics and energetic merchants of small means. One of the peculiarities of Atlanta's population is their intense love for the dear old place. Her citizens may move away, but eventually return, if able to do so."
—Nicholas A. McLendon, 1829 - 1912 (Mary's husband)
How & Where to Connect
The best place to connect with Mary Latimer McLendon is the Georgia State Capitol, where you will get to see the gorgeous marble fountain (shown below) that was erected in her honor. The other place to connect is at her grave site in Decatur Cemetery. Instructions for getting to both places are provided below...
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You will find Mary Latimer McLendon's marble fountain on the second floor (north wing) of the Georgia State Capitol. The fountain is on the same wall as the MLK portrait, which is denoted as Second Floor, "Point B" on this map.
The Georgia State Capitol is a two-block walk from the Georgia State MARTA station. You can see what the entrance the capitol looks like on the 360-Google Street Map above. Georgia State Capitol 206 Washington St SW Atlanta, GA 30334 Google Map |
Mary Latimer McLendon's grave is located in the "Old Cemetery" section of the Decatur Cemetery. See Point #23 on this map.
The Decatur Cemetery is a four-block walk from the Decatur MARTA station. You can see what the south entrance the Decatur Cemetery looks like on the 360-Google Street Map above. The "Old Cemetery" will be on your right as you enter this gate. Decatur Cemetery 229 Bell Street Decatur, GA 30030 Google Map |
Getting there...See instructions above...
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