Quick Facts
Biography
Emily Sophia Tanner Richards (May 13, 1850 – August 22, 1929) was the key figure in the founding of the Utah Woman's Suffrage Association.
Emily Sophia Tanner was born to Nathan Tanner and his wife, Rachel Winter Smith. Nathan Tanner had been part of Zion's Camp and Emily Richard's grandfather John Tanner had been a key financier of the building of the Kirtland Temple.
Emily Tanner married Franklin S. Richards, the leading attorney for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS CHurch). They were the parents of five children.
In 1888, Emily Richards approached the LDS Church leadership for permission to form a Utah chapter of the [[]]National Women's Suffrage Association. With their endorsement this was done, and it was officially organized in January 1889. In 1896, she was an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention for Utah. In 1920, Richards was involved in organization of the Utah chapter of the League of Women Voters.
In the LDS Church, Richards served as a member of the Relief Society General Board.