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Carrie
Chapman Catt
Carrie Chapman was born
and raised in Iowa. She finished
high school in 3 years, then wanted to go onto college, but she
couldn't because of money issues. She decided to try to raise
money for college by becoming a teacher and earning it herself.
In 1877 she entered Iowa State University, at the end hoping to
study law. Needing more money for tuition she became a principal in to
raise enough money.
While she was a principal she met Leo Chapman, the local newspaper editor. They got married in 1885. Carrie became her husbands assistant editor. When she was working there woman became interested in their rights and she got interested in Woman's Suffrage. She began to help make speeches and petitions for their cause. A few months after their marriage, Leo died leaving Carrie heartbroken and saying she'd never remarry. George Catt persuaded Carrie to become his wife, he was a strong believer in women's right so they made a good couple. Her marriage to George made it so she could travel all over the country to give speeches about women's rights. She built a name for herself being an activist, so in 1900 she was elected president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. When World War I started the association made it clear that they would support the war effort. Mrs. Catt even volunteered people for the armed forces. She told every member of her group to accept any war related challenge that faced them, but also not to put off the right of vote.
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