| Abstract |
The bulk of the collection consists of newspaper clippings that pertain to Cornelia Petty Jerman's activities as an advocate of women's suffrage, the Women's Club of Raleigh, the Federation of Women's Clubs, her service to the Democratic Party, and her work as assistant collector of Internal Revenue for North Carolina. Other articles concern the awarding of an honorary degree by Women's College at Greensboro, the placing of Jerman among the outstanding women in North Carolina, and obituaries written by Josephus Daniels and others announcing her death. Correspondence deals with the period 1926 through 1933 and concerns women's suffrage, the appointment of Jerman to the Democratic National Convention in Houston, her election to the Democratic National Committee, her campaign for Alfred E. Smith for President, and the split in the Democratic Party caused by Smith's nomination. Correspondents include Cordell Hull, who thanked her for the North Carolina delegation's support for him during the Convention; Josephus Daniels, who solicited her advice on supporting Smith; and Eleanor Roosevelt, who wrote concerning campaign funds available and appreciation for work done. Miscellaneous papers include train schedules for the Women's Club's tour of the western states; and programs for the Memorial to John Young Du Pre, the 29th Annual Conference of Florida Federation of Women's Clubs, the 1928 Commencement of the University of North Carolina, and the memorial litany for Jerman. |
| Access restriction | Joyner- No access restrictions. |
| Cite as |
Cornelia Petty Jerman Papers (#155), Special Collections Department, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA. |
| Terms of use | Joyner- Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law. |
| Acquisitions source |
Joyner- Gift of Mrs. John P. Cooper. |
| Biographical note | Cornelia Petty Jerman (1874-1946), a native of Carthage, N.C., was active in Raleigh's social life and led the fight for women's suffrage in North Carolina. She was a charter member of the Women's Club of Raleigh, serving as president from 1909 to 1911. She subsequently became president of the North Carolina Federation of Women's Clubs and served as a trustee of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. She organized the Raleigh Equal Suffrage League, and in 1920 she fought for suffrage at a special session of the General Assembly. She led a movement to organize the State Legislative Council, and she served as president of the Council from 1922 to 1933. She also led an effort to organize the Raleigh League of Women's Voters and served as the president of the Wake County league. In 1924 and 1928, Jerman served as a delegate to the National Democratic Convention and was appointed to the National Democratic Committee in 1928. She campaigned actively for both Al Smith and Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1934, she was appointed assistant collector of the Internal Revenue for North Carolina. Mrs. Jerman also was a member of the Fortnightly Review Club, the St. Cecilia Music Club, the Women's National Democratic Club in Washington, D.C., and was director of the Wake County Savings Bank until its merger with the First Citizen's Bank and Trust Company. |
