Jennie E. Kennedy
Mrs. Julian Kennedy, 1917
Born
Jane Eliza Breneman

November 24, 1852
Mahoning County, Ohio
DiedFebruary 7, 1930
St. Petersburg, Florida
Other namesJennie Breneman, Mrs. Julian Kennedy
Occupation(s)Clubwoman and suffragist
SpouseJulian Kennedy
Parent(s)Joseph Breneman and Elizabeth (Linn) Breneman

Jennie Eliza Kennedy (born Breneman November 24, 1852 - February 7, 1930) was an American clubwoman and suffragist. Kennedy was one of the activists that helped create the "Pittsburgh Plan" as a women's suffrage strategy.

Biography

Born as Jane Eliza Breneman in Mahoning County, Ohio, Jennie E. Kennedy was a daughter of Joseph Breneman and Elizabeth (Linn) Breneman of Poland Township, Mahoning County.[1][2]

She married Julian Kennedy in 1878. They were the parents of: Lucy B. Kennedy (1879–1962), a graduate of Vassar College who later married John O. Miller; Joseph Walker Kennedy (1884–1950), a graduate of Yale University who went into business with his father; Julian Kennedy (1886–1955); Eliza Jane Kennedy (1889–1964), a graduate of Vassar who later wed R. Templeton Smith,[3] and Thomas Walker Kennedy (1894–1922), who studied at Cornell University.[4] In 1922, her son Thomas died the day after Christmas in Schenectady, New York.[5]

Kennedy was one of the founding members[6] of the Equal Franchise Federation of Pittsburgh and hosted meetings in her home.[7][8] Kennedy, along with Jennie Bradley Roessing, and Mary E. Bakewell created the "Pittsburgh Plan" for women's suffrage strategies in Pennsylvania.[9] On May 2, 1914, she was the leader or "Boss of the Road" of the suffrage parade in Pittsburgh.[10] This parade was considered "massive" and ended with a rally that included 30 speakers on women's suffrage.[9] Kennedy also hosted Carrie Chapman Catt at her home when she visited Pittsburgh.[11]

Her daughters, Lucy Kennedy Miller and Eliza Kennedy Smith, were also active members of the women's suffrage movement. By 1915, Lucy Miller had become president of the Equal Franchise Federation of Pittsburgh while Eliza had been appointed chair of the federation's membership committee.[12][13][14]

Death and legacy

Jennie E. Kennedy died in St. Petersburg, Florida during a vacation on February 7, 1930.[1] Her estate, which was valued at $200,000, was divided between her husband and children, according to newspaper accounts regarding the probating of her will.[15]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Mrs. Julian Kennedy". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 1930-02-08. p. 28. Retrieved 2021-03-22 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "Pittsburgh's Women's Suffrage Centennial". Pittsburgh's Women's Suffrage Centennial. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  3. ↑ "Miss Eliza J. Kennedy's Engagement Announced." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Gazette Times (Pittsburgh), 1915-05-19, p. 15.
  4. ↑ Jordan 1916, p. 2255.
  5. ↑ "Kennedy, Thomas Walker." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Post, 1922-12-28, p. 14 (subscription required).
  6. ↑ Jordan 1916, p. 2256.
  7. ↑ "Convention Leaders Elected by Women". Pittsburgh Daily Post. 1917-10-28. p. 14. Retrieved 2021-03-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Suffrage Meeting". The Gazette Times. Pittsburgh. 1917-10-26. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-03-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. 1 2 Springer, Eric W. (Spring 2008). "Standing the Test of Time". Pittsburgh Quarterly.
  10. ↑ Orban, Michael; Everly, Patricia (1996). "Recreating a Suffragette Parade". Carnegie Museums. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  11. ↑ "Mother and Daughter Entertain". The Pittsburgh Press. 1917-11-18. p. 62. Retrieved 2021-03-23 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ O'Rourke, Meg. "Proud of her forebears, Eliza Smith Brown is making spaces and history of her own." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2020-10-04.
  13. ↑ "Miss Eliza J. Kennedy's Engagement Announced," The Gazette Times (Pittsburgh), 1915-05-19, p. 15.
  14. ↑ "Lucy Kennedy Miller," in "PGHSuffrage100." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Suffrage Centennial Committee, Office of the Mayor, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Woman Leaves $200,000 Estate: Mrs. Kennedy Distributes Property to Husband and Four Children by Will." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 1930-04-07, p. 2 (subscription required).

Sources


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