Elizabeth Thacher Kent, a matriarch in the founding family of Kentfield, is one of the few Marin County women to be elected posthumously to the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame. Kent was a distinguished proponent of women’s rights and international peace, and was instrumental in securing women’s right to vote.
Kent took up permanent residence in Marin in 1907 and immediately became a vocal activist in support of women’s’ suffrage. When her husband William was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Kent leveraged her position as a Congressman’s wife to support the national suffrage movement. She was a featured speaker at the 1913 and 1914 conventions of the National American Women’s Suffrage Association (NAWSA), and shortly thereafter assumed leadership of their Congressional Committee. By 1915, she helped form the Congressional Union (later renamed the Women’s Party), which picketed the White House in support of suffrage. Kent was arrested twice for her suffrage demonstrating. However, her cause prevailed, and in August 1920 the Susan B. Anthony Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed guaranteeing American women the right to vote.
In addition to supporting suffrage, Elizabeth Kent was committed to the cause of world peace. In the 1930s, she provided leadership to the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. She and her husband were also early supporters of the fledging conservation movement. They donated a large tract of land to the U.S. Government to preserve old-growth redwoods. Their gift, the Muir Woods National Monument, provides a lasting testimony to the Kents’ exemplary lives of public service.
Silicon Valley Office
375 S. Third St. San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: 408.295.4011
Note: This email is for general information and response time is 1-2 business days. If you are seeking help, please call our Crisis Support Line at 1-800-572-2782.
YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people of all abilities. We strive to continually improve the user experience and apply relevant accessibility standards. If you are experiencing difficulty accessing content on any part of this website, please email info@yourywca.org or call 408-295-4011 for assistance. If you are seeking immediate support services, please call our 24/7 Crisis Support Line at 800-572-2782.
© 2023 YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley, All Rights Reserved.