SUFFRAGIST LAURA CLAY NOMINATED FOR PRESIDENT
San Francisco (JFK+50) The Democratic National Convention, meeting here in San Francisco June 28-July 6, 1920, made history by placing into nomination the name of the first woman to be nominated for POTUS by a major political party. That woman was Laura Clay*, co-founder of the Kentucky Equal Rights Association.**
The convention, held at the Civic Auditorium, was also the first of any political party to take place on the West Coast. The delegates eventually, after 44 ballots, chose James M. Cox of Ohio and Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York as their presidential & vice-presidential candidates.
*Laura Clay (1849-1941) was born in Richmond, KY, the daughter of abolitionist Cassius Marcellus Clay. LC was educated at the University of Michigan & University of Kentucky. She became auditor for the Southern Committee of NAWSA but opposed the Susan B. Anthony Amendment on the grounds that she believed the issue should be decided by each individual state.
**The convention also placed into nomination Laura Clay's fellow Kentucky delegate, Cora Wilson Stewart.
San Francisco (JFK+50) The Democratic National Convention, meeting here in San Francisco June 28-July 6, 1920, made history by placing into nomination the name of the first woman to be nominated for POTUS by a major political party. That woman was Laura Clay*, co-founder of the Kentucky Equal Rights Association.**
The convention, held at the Civic Auditorium, was also the first of any political party to take place on the West Coast. The delegates eventually, after 44 ballots, chose James M. Cox of Ohio and Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York as their presidential & vice-presidential candidates.
*Laura Clay (1849-1941) was born in Richmond, KY, the daughter of abolitionist Cassius Marcellus Clay. LC was educated at the University of Michigan & University of Kentucky. She became auditor for the Southern Committee of NAWSA but opposed the Susan B. Anthony Amendment on the grounds that she believed the issue should be decided by each individual state.
**The convention also placed into nomination Laura Clay's fellow Kentucky delegate, Cora Wilson Stewart.
Laura Clay
Bain Collection Photograph
Library of Congress Image
