Connecticut Woman Suffrage Association

Throughout its 52 years of existence, the CWSA helped to pass local legislation and participated in the national fight for women's suffrage.

As well as advocating for women's suffrage, this association was active in promoting labor regulations, debating social issues, and fighting political corruption.

However, it was unable to push Connecticut to ratify the 19th amendment, allowing Tennessee to be the 36th and final state to make women's right to vote law.

One local event, a month-long automobile tour, was a successful campaign to gain the support of Litchfield citizens, who at the time, were primarily against women's suffrage.

These activities included: Isabella Beecher Hooker and Frances Ellen Burr were co-founders of the CWSA, starting the group after a women's suffrage convention held in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1869.

[6][7][8] During years with Isabella Beecher Hooker as director, the CWSA helped to pass local legislation that improved women's rights in Connecticut.

[9] Katharine Martha Houghton Hepburn, brought a new energy to the movement when she took over as president of CWSA in 1910 after a two hour long discussion and a vote of 40 to 12.