Program

National Votes for Women Trail

Subject

People

Location

13 S Main St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA

Lat/Long

41.2912096, -82.2170985

Grant Recipient

National Collaborative for Women's History Sites

Suffrage leader Mary Burnett Talbert (1866-1923) was raised in Oberlin, Ohio, graduating from Oberlin College in 1886, the only African American woman in her graduating class. After her 1891 marriage, Talbert continued her studies, graduating with an additional degree from Oberlin and eventually being awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Buffalo. Talbert worked as an educator and lecturer, and advocated for equal rights for women, serving as president of the National Association of Colored Women from 1916 to 1920.

In August 1915, The Crisis, the official publication of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) included, “Votes for Women: A Symposium by Leading Thinkers of Colored America.” Talbert was included in this symposium, authoring the article, “Women and Colored Women” in which she stated:

Although some resistance is experienced in portions of our country against the ballot for women, because colored women will be included, I firmly believe that enlightened men, are now numerous enough everywhere to encourage this just privilege of the ballot for women, ignoring prejudice of all kinds.

She concluded that:

By her peculiar position the colored woman has gained clear powers of observation and judgment – exactly the sort of powers which are today peculiarly necessary to the building of an ideal country.

In 1922, Talbert was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP. The June 15, 1922 edition of the Buffalo Express stated that Talbert was identified for the award due to her “many years with national uplift work for the women of her race” and in recognition of her years of dedicated service and advocacy for equality.