Katherine MacKay

In 1905 wealthy socialite, philanthropist, and suffrage activist, Katherine D. MacKay was the first woman elected to the School Board of Roslyn, Nassau, New York. Her male opponent, Dr. D. H Bogart, accused MacKay of representing "petticoat" rule, but she won the race. MacKay did build political alliances by encouraging Bogart to run for the next open board seat.  MacKay remained on the School Board until 1911. She believed that women should be able to vote and have greater access to more municipal offices, and with this access women would do a much better job then men in running large cities. MacKay used her enormous wealth to fund the local Roslyn schools and public library.  In 1908 MacKay founded the Equal Franchise Society, convincing other wealthy New York women to contribute and advance the cause of suffrage.  On the local level she invited suffrage leaders Carrie Chapman Catt and Harriot Stanton Blatch to speak in Roslyn about their work fighting for the cause.