Elizabeth Thacher Kent

Elizabeth Thacher Kent (1868-1952) in 1916

Elizabeth Thacher Kent (September 22, 1868 – August 14, 1952) was an environmentalist and women's rights activist. Together with her husband, U.S. Congressman William Kent, she helped create the Muir Woods National Monument by donating land to the government.^[1] She was the president of her local chapter of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

Personal life

Elizabeth Thacher Kent was the daughter of Yale College professor Thomas Anthony Thacher. She married William Kent on February 26, 1890 and moved to Kentfield, California. Together they had seven children. Her sons include Sherman Kent (Yale professor) and Roger Kent (US politician). Her daughter was the prominent artist Adaline Kent.

Biography

Muir Woods

Elizabeth T. Kent and her husband were active in local politics and conservation. Much of the coastal redwood forest in Marin were being cut down. The Kents purchased 611 acres of land and donated 295 acres to the federal government, which later became Muir Woods. Elizabeth T. Kent and John Muir were good friends, corresponding about nature and conservation.^[2]

In 1911, the Kent family moved to Washington D.C. after Mr. Kent was elected to serve his first term in Congress. There she became involved in the Woman's Suffrage movement. She was arrested in 1917 for picketing the White House.^[3] In the 1930s she became involved with the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and in 1937 became president of the Marin County chapter.^[4] She participated in the meeting of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945.

References