In 1929, Pauline Morton Smith Sabin (later Davis) founded the Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform. She was the powerhouse behind this energetic and effective organization, and her efforts on behalf of the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment merited a Time magazine cover portrait on July 18, 1932, accompanied by a profile detailing her background and political savvy. Her career also included founding the New York-based Women's National Republican Club in 1921 and serving as its president until 1926; becoming the first female member of the Republican National Committee (1924-28); co-chairing Fiorello LaGuardia's 1933 mayoral campaign; and directing volunteer forces for the American Red Cross during World War II.
Philip Alexius de László was on his third visit to the United States when the vivacious and charismatic Sabin sat for him, signing his sitter's book on April 2, 1926.