Last updated: October 6, 2024
Person
Mabel Vernon
Library of Congress
Quick Facts
Significance:
American suffragist
Place of Birth:
Wilmington, Delaware
Date of Birth:
September 19, 1883
Place of Death:
Washington D.C.
Date of Death:
September 2, 1975
Place of Burial:
Unknown
Within the annals of Delaware history, Mabel Vernon stands as a beacon of courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to social progress. Vernon's legacy resonates far beyond the borders of the First State, echoing throughout the corridors of American history. As a prominent suffragist, social activist, and ardent advocate for women's rights, her indomitable spirit and tireless efforts helped pave the way for the monumental passage of the 19th Amendment, securing women's right to vote in 1920. Yet, her impact transcends mere legislative victories; Vernon's legacy embodies the essence of resilience in the face of adversity and the transformative power of grassroots activism.
Mabel Vernon (September 19, 1883 – September 2, 1975) was an American suffragist, pacifist, and a national leader in the United States suffrage movement. She was a Quaker and a member of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Vernon was one of the principal members of the Congressional Union for Women Suffrage (CUWS) and helped to organize the Silent Sentinels protests that involved daily picketing of Woodrow Wilson's White House.
Mabel Vernon was born in Wilmington, Delaware, to George Washington Vernon, an editor and publisher of the Wilmington Daily Republican, and Mary Vernon, née Hooton. She graduated from Wilmington Friends School in 1901. She went on to attend Swarthmore College and graduated in 1906, after which she became a teacher at Radnor High School in Wayne, Pennsylvania, teaching Latin and German.
Mabel Vernon's influence extended deeply into her local community, where she dedicated herself tirelessly to championing causes aimed at dismantling systemic injustices and amplifying marginalized voices. Her leadership was instrumental in organizing suffrage campaigns across the state, mobilizing women from all walks of life to demand equal rights and representation. Through her eloquent speeches, strategic organizing, and unwavering dedication, Vernon played a pivotal role in shaping the course of Delaware's history, leaving an indelible mark on its collective conscience.
Vernon's commitment to the suffrage movement extended beyond Delaware's borders. In 1912, she attended the convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, where she served as an usher. Joining forces with Lucy Burns and Alice Paul, Vernon played a crucial role in organizing the historic Woman Suffrage Parade of 1913, coinciding with Woodrow Wilson's inauguration. From 1913 to 1916, she traversed the nation, campaigning and fundraising tirelessly to advance the cause of women's suffrage.
"Mabel was speaking to groups of people all the time, an excellent speaker who was very direct, very convincing," remembered fellow suffragist Hazel Hunkins. "She had a marvelous resonant voice that carried well, before the time of amplifiers. You should have seen her when she spoke to raise money...Striding back and forth behind the footlights, Mabel would ask first for a thousand dollars; and she'd get it because someone would be planted to respond that first time. Then she'd say, 'Now the next thousand.' And the people would begin responding on their own initiative. Before long she'd have $5,000, sometimes $10,000. Then we small-fry would go up and down the aisles to collect silver by the bushel. I never saw a woman bleed an audience as Mabel did. Nobody else could do it."
As a key organizer of the Silent Sentinels campaign that commenced in January 1917, Vernon's leadership was pivotal in coordinating daily pickets outside the White House. Her strategic planning, alongside Paul, ensured a steady stream of volunteers, with themed days bringing together participants from specific states or professions, garnering consistent press coverage. The campaign, spanning eighteen months, witnessed the participation of thousands of women and culminated in numerous arrests and the infamous "Night of Terror."
Following the merger of the Congressional Union and the National Woman's Party, Vernon was appointed Secretary of the NWP. During a pivotal moment in March 1917, she confronted President Wilson directly, appealing for suffrage rights with poignant words that resonated deeply. Vernon was among the first six women arrested for picketing the White House, refusing to pay the fine imposed and displaying steadfast resistance against injustice.
Even after the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, Vernon's advocacy persisted. Throughout the 1920s, she supported women candidates for Congress and ardently lobbied for the Equal Rights Amendment. Her commitment to social justice expanded beyond suffrage, as evidenced by her pursuit of a master's degree in political science from Columbia University in 1924 and her subsequent engagement in international relations and peace efforts.
In 1930, Vernon transitioned her focus to international relations and peace, becoming a prominent proponent of Latin American rights and disarmament. Joining the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, she assumed roles such as director of the Peoples Mandate Committee for Inter-American Peace and Cooperation in the 1940s. As a member of the Inter-American delegation to the foundation of the United Nations, Vernon's advocacy transcended borders, leaving an enduring legacy of global activism and dedication to peace and equality.
Mabel met Consuelo Reyes-Calderon in 1942 when they were both working for the Inter-American Commission of Women. They moved in together in 1951 and remained partners in work and life until Mabel died in 1975. Neither had many opportunities to take advantage of Mabel's tireless efforts for suffrage because they were residents of Washington, D.C. which had no elected representation until the year before Mabel's death.
"Although she is a kind and open-minded woman, she has always been a woman of principles." said Consuelo of Mabel in 1975. "When confronted by a person of high rank with an opinion contrary to her own, she would never give in if the issue concerned a principle in which she deeply believed."
In commemorating Mabel Vernon's life and legacy, we honor not only a trailblazer for suffrage and social justice but also a testament to the enduring power of ordinary individuals to effect extraordinary change. Her story serves as a reminder that the struggle for equality is not confined to the pages of history but remains an ongoing journey toward a more just and inclusive society for all.
Sources
Edmonston, W. (ca. 1917) Miss Mabel Vernon, National Secretary, National Woman's Party. United States Delaware Wilmington, ca. 1917. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/mnwp000179/.
Education & Resources - National Women’s History Museum - NWHM. (n.d.). https://web.archive.org/web/20161220214801/http://www.nwhm.org/education-resources/biography/biographies/mabel-vernon/
Mabel Vernon | Sewall-Belmont House Museum. (n.d.). https://web.archive.org/web/20120401133638/http://www.sewallbelmont.org/womenwecelebrate/mabel-vernon/
Notable American women : the modern period : a biographical dictionary : Sicherman, Barbara : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (1980). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/notableamericanw00sich/page/710/mode/2up
Speaker for Suffrage and petitioner for Peace,. (n.d.). https://oac.cdlib.org/view?docId=kt2r29n5pb&&doc.view=entire_text
The story of the woman’s party. (n.d.). Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?id=HRdgL0Or2vYC