Rachel Gordon Avery

THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. II, by Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery, Cleveland, 1912. p. 1034

Rachel Foster Avery (1858–1919) was a corresponding secretary of the National American Woman Suffrage Association during the late 19th century.[1]

From: Title: Susan B. Anthony - Rebel, Crusader, Humanitarian Author: Alma Lutz

"On four of her adopted nieces, Rachel Foster Avery, Anna Howard Shaw, Harriet Taylor Upton, and Carrie Chapman Catt, Susan felt that the greater part of her work would fall and be "worthily done."[402] Yet she feared that in their enthusiasm for efficient organization they might lose the higher concepts of freedom and justice which had been the driving force behind her work. Not having learned the lessons of leadership when the cause was unpopular, they lacked the discipline of adversity, which bred in the consecrated[Pg 275] reformer the wisdom, tolerance, and vision so necessary for the success of her task. What they did understand far better than the highly individualistic pioneers was the value of teamwork, which grew in importance as the National American Association expanded far beyond the ability of one person to cope with it...."

"Probably first in her affections was Rachel Foster Avery, who had been like a daughter to her since their trip to Europe together in 1883. The confidence she felt in their friendship was always a comfort. Rachel's intelligent approach to problems made her an asset at every meeting, and Susan relied much on her judgment."

"The credit for achieving union after two years of patient negotiation goes to Rachel Foster Avery, secretary of the National Association, and to Lucy Stone's daughter, Alice Stone Blackwell, secretary of the American Association."

Two of Susan B. Anthony's "girls," as she liked to call them, Rachel Foster Avery and May Wright Sewall, were appointed by Mrs. Palmer to take charge of the World's Congress of Representative Women, and they arranged a meeting of the International Council of Women as a part of this Congress. _____

Rachel Foster was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1858 to Julia Manuel Foster and J. Heron Foster, the editor of the Pittsburgh Dispatch.[2]

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a prominent social activist and advocate of women's rights, held suffrage meetings at the Foster's home, and Rachel's mother became vice president of the local suffrage society. After J. Heron Foster's death in 1868, Rachel, her sister, and mother moved to Philadelphia, where they joined the Citizens' Suffrage Association. Rachel began writing for newspapers at about age 17. At 21 she attended the eleventh convention of the National Woman Suffrage Association[2], and became actively involved in the organization by planning and organizing the association's meetings across the country in 1880 and 1881.

In 1882 she conducted the Nebraska Amendment campaign.[2] Later she published throughout the state of Pennsylvania the lecture of Governor John W. Hoyt of Wyoming, entitled "The Good Results of Thirteen Years' Experience of Women's Voting in Wyoming". In 1883, Rachel traveled through Europe with Susan B. Anthony.

In February 1888, Rachel organized the International Council of Women[2] in Washington, D. C., under the auspices of the National Woman Suffrage Association.

On November 8, 1888, she married Cyrus Miller Avery.

Rachel later held the office of corresponding secretary of the National Woman Suffrage Association, and of the National and the International Council of Women[2]. _____

"Rachel Foster Avery, woman suffragist, was born Dec. 30, 1858 in Pittsburg Pa. In 1882 she conducted the Nebraska amendment campaign and in 1883 went to Europe with Susan B. Anthony and traveled through nearly all the European countries in the interests of woman suffrage. She is at the head of almost every movement of the national woman suffrage association" source: Herringshaw's national library of American biography: contains thirty-five ... edited by Thomas William Herringshaw