NAWSA GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Coe, Evelyn P. WAR SERVICE COMMITTEE OF THE BOSTON EQUAL SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION 415 BOYLSTON STREET, BOSTON TELEPHONE BACK BAY 8347 WAR SERVICE SHOP 415 BOYLSTON STREET Chairman MRS. EVELYN PEVERLEY COE Treasurer R. D. COE EXECUTIVE BOARD MRS. EVELYN PEVERLEY COE, Chairman MRS. FRED'K BAGLEY, Vice-Chairman MRS. JOHN WOOD MYERS, Secretary MRS. LILA WOODBURY LANE, Treasurer MRS. A. BARR COMSTOCK MRS. PHILIP LORING REED MRS. WENONA OSBORNE PINKHAM MRS. GUY CURRIER MISS HILDA HEDSTROM MISS BARBARA SHERMAN MRS. ARTHUR PERRIN MRS. JAMES A. PARKER MRS. GEORGE RICHMOND FEARING, JR. MRS. ALFRED L. ADAMS COMMITTEES Junior War Service Tea Dances for Soldiers and Sailors Naval Aviation Teas Food Conservation War Service Naval Canteen Americanization of Aliens War Service Auxiliary of the Red Cross Suffrage Coffee House at Ayer Protection of Women and Children in Industry Community Kitchens Liberty Bond Child Welfare Patriotic Meetings Lucy Stone Convalescent Hospital Mrs. Charles Sumner Bird, East Walpole . Mass. May 31st - 1918. My dear Mrs. Bird : - I understand that Miss Blackwell to-day presented my name to you as a possible Executive Secretary for the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association. While I realize that the choice will be made by the new Executive Board, your feelings and desires in the matter carry great weight, and as you are considering the matter I think it only fair that I should tell you exactly where and for what I stand, have done and feel that I might be able to do. In the first place the greatest desire I have, even beyond a desire for suffrage is to see the war brought to a victorious end. I have worked to that end ever since the war began and for a year, have given my entire time and energy to war work. The work of the Boston War Services Committee has been under my direction and is, I think successful. I am telling you this that you may not misunderstand my attitude in also supporting Mrs. Pinkham for 1st Vice President. I believe her a loyal American, and I know an effective, able and unselfish war worker_ and I believed a great injustice was being done her in the campaign waged against her — and believing that, I should have felt my self lacking in loyalty had I not testified to what I believe. In addition I think her so able that the suffrage association as a war machine would have been made effective. Mrs. Catt is a very wise leader and in her advocacy of your election she may have seen further than any of us — It is certain that the harmony that should come from it is greatly to be desired and we must all do what we can to bring it about. Perhaps I also can help in a small way. I served two years as clerk of the Mass. Executive Board— six months as chairwoman on outside organizations — and a year as office manager. I know the organization well and through my work this winter I have come in close touch with the people doing war work in Boston. I am a member of the Co-ordination of Aid Societies of the Boston Public Safety Committee and Secretary and member of the House Committee of the Suffrage Coffee House at Ayer — I am also an active member of the subcommittee of the War Services Com. as well as Chairman of its board. I know the legislative situation as I have served several years on the State Legislative Committee and have been Legislative Chairman of the Boston Ass'n. I have always worked without pay except for the period during which I was office Manager and Chairman of Outside Organizations and I do not believe that a position of that kind should be filled by a volunteer — as the ass'n should control her time. If I am appointed by the board I shall expect a salary and I intend to make donations to war work. I should also like to say that I did not seek the position and do not want it against great opposition — but if I am appointed I will fill it faithfully and loyally to you, and to the Massachusetts Association. I shall try to bring order and system to the office and bring into the work the co-operation of all factions and under any circumstances I shall be glad to loyally support you to the utmost. Yours very sincerely Evelyn Peverley Coe — (Mrs. Richard D. Coe) 1213 Beacon Street, Brookline, Mass. Coe 32 LLEWELLYN ROAD WEST NEWTON MASSACHUSETTS Dear Miss Blackwell: - At Mrs. Trueworthy White's request I am sending these facts to her also. They are all I know. Teresa A. Crowley, wife of John A. Crowley was a member of the Board of the Mass. W.S.A. as Chairman of its Legislative Committee for years. She gave her time unremittingly and by her work and shrewd direction of her workers steered the suffrage referendum bill through the necessary two years of the Legislature. This success was largely due to the unheard of campaign for his defeat in the District of the Pres. of the Senate Levi P. Greenwood. Mrs. Crowley first painstakingly and accurately examined his record on all legislation attendance etc, as she did in the case of Senator Weeks and all candidates the organization opposed - and the result, carried to the voters, by the suffrage speakers and literature directed by her crowned these efforts with success. She organized, and with Mrs. Pinkham and the board conducted the campaign against Sen. Weeks when the amendment needed that help in the Congress. She wrote the “Brief for Woman Suffrage" circulated throughout the State and greatly admired by lawyers. The Mass. Chapter of the History of Woman Suffrage was also compiled by her. She toured Mass. repeatedly speaking at factories, in halls and in houses and was especially effective in debates and before Legislative Committees. Her debate with Mrs. A.J. George the Anti Leader was greatly admired & advertized. She gave her services without pay and her advice to all committees and workers whenever sought. In addition she was active in the The Business Women's Club Prof. Woman's Club and President of the Mass. Association of Women Lawyers. Her home life was ideal. She adored her husband, withwhom she worked side by side in the same law office for thirty years and her three children. They were companions and tobogganed, climbed mountains read and played together as the happiest and most united family I know. I cannot express her simple direct and splendid mind or her loveableness. She was without guile and her faith in her friends was so sweet that truly she can never be replaced. I hope you writing ladies won't think this too crude. Please send me a copy or two of what you write to send to the children. Sincerely Evelyn P. Coe -- Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.