Clara Arthur
Clara Arthur (1858–1929) was an American suffragist. She was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.
Clara Arthur | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Clara Peters October 25, 1858 Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Died | July 26, 1929 (aged 70) |
| Resting place | Woodlawn Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Suffragist, Social Activist |
| Known for | "Mother of the Playground Movement" |
| Spouse(s) | James Arthur[1] |
Biography
Clara Arthur née Peters was born on October 25, 1858 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.[1] In 1885, she helped co-found the Michigan Equal Suffrage Association, which she would be elected president of in 1906. As president, Arthur succeeded in amending the Constitution of Michigan to allow "white" women to vote on certain issues (such as on taxes and bonds). Arthur was also an important driver of the statewide effort to gain women's suffrage, which succeeded in 1918 after six years of campaigning. After gaining women's suffrage in Michigan, she promoted the building of playgrounds; later in life being known as the "Mother of the Playground Movement." Arthur is credited with helping establish the system of playgrounds in Detroit, leading to 138 playgrounds and 17 swimming pools in 1929. An advocate against child labor, Arthur served on the National Child Labor Committee. She was also an active member of the Michigan Federation of Women's Club, chairing the industrial and child labor committees. Arthur was one of the founders of the Detroit Anti Tuberculosis Society and worked towards building the Detroit Tuberculosis Sanitarium.[1][2]
Arthur died July 26, 1929. she was buried in Detroit in Woodlawn Cemetery.[1]
References
- "Arthur, Clara B." Detroit Historical Society. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
- "Clara Arthur" (PDF). Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.