Abigail Williams May's Campaign for School Committee Member, 1874

May, Abigail Williams

In 1868 Abigail May, better known as Abby W. May, helped to found the New England's Women's Club. One of the reforms pursued by the club was a campaign to win representation for women on the Boston School Committee. In 1873, Abby May and Lucretia Crocker were elected to the Committee (by men only). The Committee, however, refused to allow them to take their seats after a challenge based upon...