Madeline McDowell Breckinridge

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Madeline McDowell Breckinridge (May 20, 1872-November 25, 1920) was a leader of the women’s suffrage movement and one of Kentucky's leading Progressive reformers. (See Progressivism in the United States). She was also known as Madge Breckinridge and Mrs. Desha Breckinridge.

She was born in Woodlake, Kentucky and grew up at Ashland, the farm established by her grandfather, Henry Clay. In 1898 Madeline McDowell married Desha Breckinridge, the editor of the Lexington Herald and a brother of the pioneering social worker Sophonisba Breckinridge.

[edit] Key Activities and Accomplishments

1908-1912 she chaired the Kentucky Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Successfully lobbied for allowing women to vote in Kentucky school board elections.
1912-1915 and 1919-1920 she served as president of the Kentucky Equal Rights Association.
1912 she helped found the Kentucky Tuberculosis Commission and was the group’s vice president until 1916.
1913-1915 she served as vice president of the National Woman Suffrage Association.
She founded a social settlement at Proctor, Kentucky, similar to Chicago’s Hull House, advocated to establish playgrounds and kindergartens, and spoke out against child labor.
She was a vocal supporter of the newly formed League of Nations.

[edit] Trivia

The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed shortly before she died — so she was able to vote one time.

Her husband, Desha Breckinridge, came from a notable American family whose members include John C. Breckinridge and Bunny Breckinridge. See Breckinridge for more information.

She was a cousin of Dr. Ephraim McDowell and American Civil War Union General Irvin McDowell.

When Breckinridge became president of the Kentucky Equal Rights Association in 1912, she succeeded her cousin, Laura Clay, who founded the organization.