Mary Long Alderson

Mary Long Alderson (1860-1937) was an American suffragist.

Life

Alderson née Long was born on June 19, 1860 in South Weymouth, Massachusetts. In 1888 she married Matthew William Alderson (1855-1924) with whom she had three children. The couple settled in Bozeman, Montana. Matt Alderson and his father published the Bozeman Avant Courier. Mary wrote for the Avant Courier, including editorial content, specifically advocating against corsets and long skirts

Alderson was an active clubwoman. She was a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), serving as president of the Montana chapter from 1913 to 1916. She was the editor of the Montana WCTU Journal. She was also a member of the Montana State Housekeepers Society and the Bozeman Society for the Promotion of Physical Culture and Correct Dress. Alderson was the Montana chairwoman of the Floral Emblem Campaign which voted Lewisia rediviva as the official state flower.

Alderson attended the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. There she heard suffragist speakers including Susan B. Anthony. Alderson returned to Bozeman eager to organize for women's right to vote. She was successful in working to win Montana women suffrage in 1914.

Alderson died in Bozeman, Montana on January 7, 1940.

Legacy

Mary's papers are part of the "Alderson Family Collection" housed at the Merrill G. Burlingame Special Collections of the Montana State University Library.