Caroline Spencer

Caroline Spencer (October 30, 1861 – September 16, 1928) was an American physician and suffragist who campaigned extensively for women's rights, both in her home state of Colorado and on the national level. She was one of many Silent Sentinels who demonstrated in front of the White House, and also participated in Watchfires, during the final months before the Nineteenth amendment was passed. She was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2006. Early life and education Caroline E. Spencer, daughter of J. Austin Spencer, an attorney, and Anna Brock Spencer, was born in 1861 in Philadelphia. Her mother died when Caroline Spencer was nine years old. Spencer attended the Philadelphia Normal School For Girls, where she received the Hannah M. Dodd Medal of Merit for her scholastic achievement. Following her graduation in 1880, she was employed at the Normal School, teaching history, for a period of time before enrolling in the Women's Medical College, Philadelphia, where she earned her medical degree in 1892. She practiced medicine throughout the remainder of her life. Spencer suffered from chronic bronchitis and asthma and in 1889, she visited Colorado hoping that the climate would be beneficial. Four years later, after obtaining her medical degree, she moved to the state, and settled in Colorado Springs. Activism In Colorado, Spencer became active in the Woman's Suffrage Movement. She was a founder of the Women's Club of Colorado Springs (1902) as well as of the Civic League (1909). The Civic League, which championed both women's rights and labor rights, ran afoul of business interests in the state and was eventually forced to close, in 1914. Since Colorado women had gained the vote at the state level in an 1893 referendum, Spencer and her local allies focused their efforts on legislation at the national level, primarily on passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.! In 1913, Spencer joined Alice Paul's Congressional Union, which later became the National Woman's Party.