Martha Ragsdale Ragland
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Martha Ragsdale Ragland | |
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| Born | May 14, 1906 Paducah, Kentucky |
| Died | January 18, 1996 (aged 89) Nashville, Tennessee |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Vanderbilt University |
| Occupation | women's rights and civil rights activist |
| Spouse(s) | Thomas Ragland (married 1932–1996) |
| Children | Thomas Ragland Jr Sarah Ragland |
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Martha Ragland (1906–1996) was a civil rights and womens rights activist based in Tennessee. Often revered as Tennessee's "first modern day feminist," she worked closely with Planned Parenthood and the Birth Control League in Knoxville.[1] In 1945 Ragland became president of Tennessee's League of Women Voters where she was able to successfully advocate for reform to the state's constitution.[1]
Ragland received her education from Vanderbilt University where she graduated with her B.A. and M.A. in economics. Ragland went on to have a successful career in activism. She became acquainted with Estes Kefauver who served on the House of Representatives from 1939 - 1949. Kefauver and Ragland shared similar views and Ragland served in the inner circle on his campaign team.[2] Kefauver has credited Ragland with launching a women's vote "unprecedented in Tennessee history" after his election win thanks to her work as state manager of Women for Kefauver.[2]
Ragland was a strong supporter of second wave feminism and in 1971 founded the Nashville Women's political caucus.[2] In one of her most well known speeches, she speaks at the Tuskegee Civic association about the importance of the continued fight for democracy just weeks before the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.[3] She continued her political and social activism throughout the rest of her life and until her death in 1996.[4][5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rust, Randal. "Ragland, Martha Ragsdale". Tennessee Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "UTC Central Authentication Service Login". cas.utc.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ↑ "UTC Central Authentication Service Login". cas.utc.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-03.
- ↑ "6 role models to be inducted into YWCA Academy - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ↑ "Papers of Martha Ragsdale Ragland, 1852-1997 (inclusive), 1921-1997 (bulk)". utc.on.worldcat.org. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
External links
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