Lula Reese, Suffragette

http://www.curtisit.com/curtis/colyer/wgo4.html#I305

Lulu Colyar Reese had her first introduction into the political world at the age of seventeen, when she joined other Nashville women in an appearance before the Tennessee General Assembly to secure the property of Andrew Jackson, the Hermitage, for the state. The effort was successful and the Ladies Hermitage Association was founded.

After her marriage to Isaac B. Reese, she had regular meetings and gatherings in their home to bring together society leaders,Vanderbilt professors, and other thinkers of the city for conversation and interaction. As many as 300 persons attended these gatherings which were described as a "Parisian salon." When the Reese family moved to Paducah, Kentucky, she founded a similar group there.

In 1900, the Reese family moved to Memphis where she became active in the Federation of Women's Clubs as president of the Nineteenth Century Club. She used her experience in the women's clubs of Memphis to become active in the political problems of her day and worked for suffrage. She led the fight for women on the Memphis City Board of Education and was one of the first two women elected to the Board,running for the office on the Non-Partisan ticket. While on the school board, she fought for free textbooks and anti-child labor laws.

Lulu Reese was in Nashville at the Hermitage Hotel in August,1920 when the 19th amendment was passed. She was active in the National American Woman Suffrage Association as well as the National Women's Party.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=90960729

Former Head of Children's Home Society Here Dies

Mrs. Isaac Reese of Memphis Succumbs in Miami.

Mr. Isaac Reese, about 75 years old, former superintendent of the Tennessee Children's Home Society, died Friday morning at the home of her son, Colyar Reese, in Miami, Fla., according to a dispatch received here by a cousin, Mrs. Edward A. Price. The message contained no details concerning either the death or funeral arrangements but relatives here believe that burial will be Monday in Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis. (Note: She is buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, Memphis).

She is survived by one son, Colyar, and five grandchildren.

Her husband died about four years ago in Memphis. She was the mother of three other sons who preceded her to the grave, one of the Capt. Isaac Reese dying on the battlefields of France during the World War. She was the daughter of Col. A.S. Colyar, at one time editor and owner of the Nashville Union, which was bought by the Nashville American, the latter being subsequently absorbed by the Tennessean.

Mrs. Reese came from Memphis to Nashville about four years ago to assume the superintendency of the Children's home society and held that position here until the first of the year when she was succeeded by Mrs. Fannie Elrod, the present superintendent. In Memphis she was a very prominent club woman and was active in education work, being a member of the city school board.

Provided by Mary & Kent

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 1 2020, 23:15:27 UTC