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Evanston and the Fight for the Vote

Elizabeth Boynton Harbert

Portrait, EBH, EHC Electronic Files.jpg

Harbert lived in several Midwestern states throughout her lifetime, eventually settling in Evanston with her husband. In her adopted hometown, Harbert made significant strides in gaining support for women's suffrage. She wrote at length on women's issues in local newspapers, and she founded and served as the first president of the Woman's Club of Evanston. Harbert skillfully brought the women of Evanston together in support of women's suffrage; her influence cannot be overlooked. 

  • b. 1843 (Indiana), d. 1925 (California)
  • Resident, Evanston, 1874-1910
  • m. William Harbert, 1870 (3 children)
  • Founder and first president, Woman’s Club of Evanston
  • Columnist, “Woman’s Kingdom” in the Chicago Inter Ocean newspaper
  • Publisher, New Era, 1878
  • Organizer, Pro and Con Club, ca. 1874
  • President, Illinois Equal Suffrage Association, 1875-1889
  • Vice President, National Woman’s Suffrage Association for Illinois
  • Advocated for an equal role for women in Christianity
  • Co-founder, Evanston Political Equality League
Elizabeth Boynton Harbert