Caroline Severance

Caroline Severance (1820-1914) was a leader in the clubs movement, which encouraged women’s political awareness and helped launch many into public life.
Severance helped found one of the nation’s first women’s clubs in Boston. She also established California’s first women’s club in 1878 after moving to Los Angeles. Members led efforts to improve the lives of homeless children and establish the state’s first juvenile court system.
Severance's interests were broad, from free kindergartens to historic preservation to world peace. She cast her first vote in the presidential election of 1912 after campaigning for women’s suffrage for more than 60 years.