40 Famous Iowans - Carrie Chapman Catt

Raised in Iowa, Carrie Chapman Catt had a strong interest in teaching. After only briefly studying law, she was appointed the principal of a high school one year after graduating from Iowa State College, as it was called until 1945. Two years later, she was the Superintendant of Schools for Mason City.

In 1885, after she and her husband moved to California, he died. While in California she worked for a short time as a newspaper reporter. She soon returned to Iowa and joined the Iowa Woman Suffrage Association as a lecturer. In 1890, she became a delegate for the National Woman Suffrage Association. Due to Catt’s diligence and organization she quickly gained additional responsibilities within the association. In 1895, she became the Head of Field Organizing. Her co-workers soon recognized what a great asset Catt was. She was even being noticed and trusted by Susan B. Anthony, a prominent American civil rights leader. In 1900, it was decided that Carrie Chapman Catt would take over as President after Anthony retired. However, four years later Catt was forced to resign her Presidency to take care of her ailing second husband, who later died in 1905.

From 1904 to 1923, she created the International Woman Suffrage Association and, along with that, in 1915 was re-elected to be President of the NWSA once again. One of her biggest accomplishments in a stellar career was assisting in the passage of the 19^th Amendment in 1920 which provided women the right to vote. Catt was one of the most admired and dedicated people in the history of women’s suffrage.