Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Shields, Laura Curie Allee |
Othernames |
Laura Curie Allee;Laura Curie Allee Shields |
Born |
12/17/1870 |
Places of residence |
Ridgefield, Connecticut. |
Titles & honors |
- President of League of Women Voters - Vice president of the Republican Town Comittee. - Member of the Ridgefield Garden Club. - President of District Nursing Association - Served on the board of Ridgefield Library and Historical Association. |
Father |
Charles Curie (French) |
Mother |
Jennie Andrews Curie |
Nationality |
American |
Notes |
Lauren Curie Allee Shields was an active suffragist in the early 20th century, leading the town's Equal Franchise League, a precursor to the League of Women Voters, and participant in the National Women's Suffrage Association. Part of the reason she was able to influence Tennessee to vote to ratify the 19th amendment was becasue she was from Ridgefield. Then Senator Warren G. Harding learned she was from Ridgefield like his Aunt (Mrs. Northrop), which allegedly opened him up to the women's cause. She believed that while women still had duties in the home and to their families, they should also be educated and politically engaged. Women could do as much work at home keeping their children and cubords and wells good and clean, but those attempts would be futile without larger political upkeep and intervention. She eblieved that women deserved a say in their elected officials, since they would be shouldering the blunt of their descisions back home. To encourage others, she wrote for the local press, developed projects towards suffrage, and held public meetings to further the cause. One infamous example of this was the "traveling dog show", where Laura and 12 other women took the place of the 13 dogs during intermission and stood on stage with a banner reading "Votes for Women". She also passionately argued for youth health and education. Her and her husband fought to improve education infrastructure and provisions. She was a key voice in aquiring the Keeler Tavern. |
Occupation |
Laura Curie Allee was a prominent leader in the womens sufferage movement, who lead her community both on a regional level, and on a personal level. She was instrumental in helping get the 36th (and last) state Tennessee to ratify the 19th amendment. |
Publications |
IN WOMAN'S REALM: progress of Suffrage Movement (article in Ridgefield Press circa July 1912) Historic Ridgefield: History (article in Ridgefield Press circa June 1927) Memories |
Relationships |
Charles Curie (Brother; 1872 -1936) |
Role |
Political |
Spouse |
Dr. William H. Allee (died 1929), James Van Allen Shields (m. 1933). |
Children |
Dawson, Jean Harriet Detzer, Dorothy Diemar |
Related Records
-
-
-
2007.313.3001 - Print, photographic
Hurlbutt Market and residence Hartmann print
Record Type: Archive
-
2007.339.3001 - print, photographic
Photos of the (Laura Curie Alee) Shields and Detzer families Frank Gordon, photographer Includes photocopied obituary of Capt. Detzer, 1976
Record Type: Archive
-
-
-
2009.327.3004 - Print, Photographic
Laura Curie Shields with daughter and granddaughter Credit Korker Archives.
Record Type: Archive
-
-
-
-
2011.315.0059.2 - Print, Photographic
Photos, with negatives, of Laura Curee Allee Shields and family
Record Type: Archive
-
-
2013.322.3007 - Print, Photographic
Laura Allee van Allen Shields and family (2 photos)
Record Type: Archive
-
