Katherine Philips Edson

Overview

Katherine Philips Edson born Kenton, OH January 12, 1870 (d. 1933). California “Stateslady.” Progressive social reformer & suffrage leader. Official US delegate to history’s most successful disarmament conference, Washington Naval Treaty, 1922.

Quotations

On jury reform: “We started at the top and we must build from the bottom.” (1915; Holly McCammon et al., “On Becoming Full Citizens”, p. 11-21)

On women's political engagement: “[We] entered politics at one of the most critical times in our History. . . [and] helped to win a world war. . . [However, our] sacrifice of blood and treasure, poured out with hearts brimming with patriotism. . . [has been taken advantage of by] heartless profiteers who have grown swollen and fat off the peoples’ sorrow and sacrifice.” (Eunice Eichelberger, “Hearts Brimming with Patriotism”, in Robert Cherny, California Women in Politics, p. 309; photo wikicommons)