Quick Facts
Biography
Jennie Bradley Roessing (May 11, 1881 – May 15, 1963) was a leader in the women's suffurage movement during the early 1900s. She was involved in the fight for women's rights in the Pittsburgh area. an active participant in the women's suffrage movement and various Pittsburgh-area organizations.
Early life
Roessing was born on May 11, 1881 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvaniato Johnn Bradley snd Anna Marie Friedrich. John was a tailor. Jennie married Frank M. Roessing but then divorced. Jennie Bradley Roessing died in Pittsburgh on May 15, 1963.
Career
In 1914, Roessing began her campaign for the rights of women. She worked with Hannah Patterson, Mary Flinn, Lucy Kennedy, and Mary Bakewell. Together they formed the Allegheny County Equal Rights Association (ACERA). ACERA changed its title in 1910 to The Equal Rights Franchise Federation of Western Pennsylvania. Roessing was vice-president. In 1912, she was also involved at the state level as president of the Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association (PWSA). She and others travelled throughout Pennsylvania giving speeches and lobbying the Pennsylvania legislature to pass a woman suffrage bill. This included a tour of four months with the Liberty Bell of Suffrage. The bill did not pass. She continued her lobbying efforts. Roessing became chairwoman of the National American Woman Suffrage Association afterwards.
In 1920 women were given he right to vote.
Jennie Bradley Roessing Collection
The Jennie Bradley Roessing collect, housed in the Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh consists of documents, pamphlets, speeches, correspondence, personal papers, photographs, and memorabilia.