Jean Brooks Greenleaf papers

Collection

Identifier: D.300

Staff Only

Biographical/Historical note

Jean Brooks Greenleaf was born on October 1, 1831 in Bernardston, Massachusetts, where she attended public schools before enrolling in the Melrose Seminary in West Brattleboro, Vermont. She was forced to leave school due to her mother's ailing health, and married Halbert S. Greenleaf in 1862. The couple moved to Rochester, New York in 1867 where Mr. Greenleaf worked as a lock manufacturer and served two terms in the US Congress.

Jean Brooks Greenleaf was active in the Rochester Community, chairing the committee that drafted the constitution of the Woman's Educational and Industrial Union (founded 1893) and the organizational meeting of the Women's Ethical Club in 1889. Greenleaf joined the Women's Political Club (formed in 1886) and became its second president in May of 1888. She was elected President of the New York State Woman Suffrage Association (NYSWSA) in 1890 at the state convention held in Rochester, a position she held until 1896.

Greenleaf was a delegate to the House Judiciary Committee hearing on suffrage on February 17, 1892. She worked on the Second New York Campaign for woman suffrage, which was run from the home of Susan B. Anthony on Madison Street in Rochester, between 1893 and 1894. She addressed the Suffrage Committee of New York State's Constitutional Convention on 24 May 1894, along with Susan B. Anthony. Greenleaf shared a personal friendship with Anthony, as evidenced by her presence at many small gatherings at the Anthony home.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains photographs of Greenleaf throughout her life, as well as a candid photograph of Greenleaf speaking with Susan B. Anthony taken by Vahan Abkarian. Two letters are included, along with a "Votes for Women" satin sash and a pin from the American Women's League.

Creator

Greenleaf, Jean Brooks, 1831- (Person)

Dates

Creation: 1894-1912

Language of Materials

English

Extent

2 box(es)

Access

The Jean Brooks Greenleaf Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Collection was the property of Vahan Abkarian, who was Greenleaf's caretaker during the last years of her life. Purchased from Rob McElroy July 1, 2003 on FHA-Seward Fund.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Jean Brooks Greenleaf Papers, D.300, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester