Susan B. Anthony Finances Efforts to Increase the Membership of Her National American Woman Suffrage Association

The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) was officially formed in May 1890 as a unification of the National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association, with Elizabeth Cady Stanton as its first president and Susan B. Anthony as its vice president. Lucy Stone was first chair of its executive committee. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), which existed to oppose alcohol and lobby for prohibition, also supported women's suffrage. Some women were members of both organizations, and each looked to the other’s membership as a potential recruiting ground. This was particularly true, however, of the NAWSA, as it was much the smaller organization, and always looking for additional members and support.

Mrs. P.E. Johnson was Superintendent of the South Dakota chapter of the WCTU and also a tireless worker for women’s suffrage for over 20 years. Anthony enlisted her assistance in expanding the NAWSA in South Dakota, then newly admitted as a state in the Union. The NAWSA provided funds to assist Johnson in these efforts, but some of these funds were withheld by the treasurer of the WCTU, impeding Johnson’s work.

Autograph letter signed, on her National American Woman Suffrage Association, Huron, Washington, D.C., April 29, 1890, to the WCTU official, demanding the money be transferred to Johnson. “Will the Treasurer of the 3rd District WCTU return to Mrs. P.E. Johnson the balance of the hundred dollars – $39.87 – which I sent her to pay Mrs. Emma L. DeVal for her services in canvassing & organizing Equal Suffrage societies under her – Mrs. Johnson’s supervision, and oblige yours respectfully, Susan B. Anthony.” It is interesting to note that this letter was dated a few days before the official formation of the NAWSA, on newly printed letterhead that was issued in advance of the formation and contained an error as to the organization’s address.