Program

National Votes for Women Trail

Subject

People

Location

24 N Main St, Alfred, NY 14802, USA

Lat/Long

42.254266, -77.790152

Grant Recipient

National Collaborative for Women's History Sites

Early suffragist, reformer, and Alfred University educator, Abigail Allen, originally known as Abigail Maxson, once lived in the small community of Alfred, NY. Born February 4, 1824 in Friendship, NY, she was an honorary member of the first class graduated from Alfred University in 1849. Following graduation, Allen worked for the university and taught courses in mathematics, modern language, painting and drawing.

Considered liberal for its time, Alfred University was among the nation’s first coeducational college institutions. As both a student and educator there, this significantly impacted Abigail Allen’s beliefs about women’s rights. She believed that women should have the same educational opportunities as men, learning alongside them. In an October 15, 1873 address given by Allen to the Women’s Congress in New York, she uttered these famous words:

Any culture to be the noblest must not only have its inspiration in harmony with the great human and divine influences, but it must move on the high tide of human progress, keep abreast of the world’s advancements; in one word, be radical, radical to the core.

As proponent of educational equality and coeducation, Allen also believed in political equality and was an ardent supporter women’s suffrage, actively engaged in the cause. She served as Secretary of the Allegheny Political Equality Club in 1895. Her obituary from the October 28, 1902 edition of the Democrat and Chronicle stated:

Mrs. Allen was a pioneer in the agitation in this state for the political advancement of woman, she counted among her most intimate friends such women as Susan B. Anthony, Julia Ward Howe and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

While Abigail Allen died before seeing women gaining the right to vote, it was through her efforts along with many others that helped make that dream a reality for future generations.