With the help of these sisters, the women of South Carolina gained the same access to education and voting as their male peers. The Pollitzer sisters, all born between 1881-1894, were from a wealthy, Jewish family residing in Charleston, South Carolina. Although the Jewish community was not supportive of women’s suffrage at the time, the Pollitzer sisters were passionate about reformation on local, state, and federal levels.
All three daughters were very involved in the National Women’s Party. The eldest daughter, Carrie, was active in her community and was a charter member for the Charleston Equal Suffrage League, she was one of the lead drivers in advocating for women’s admission at the College of Charleston. The second eldest, Mabel, advocated for nutritious school lunches, founded honors societies for her students, and established the Charleston County Free Library. The more radical sister, Anita, held multiple offices in the National Woman’s Party. She represented South Carolina at the International Feminists Conference at in Paris in 1926.
With their combined efforts, the Pollitzer sisters were a force to be reckoned with.
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Learn more about the Pollitzer Sisters from SC Suffragists: The Pollitzer Sisters.