Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Mary A. Safford collection
- Dates:
- 1906-1953, 2006
- Abstract:
- Correspondence and photographs from the early 20th century, primarily documenting suffragist and Unitarian minister Mary Augusta Safford. The bulk of the correspondence are letters between Safford and a person named "Theo." Photographs in the collection more mostly of unidentified men, and some of which are addressed to "Johnnie."
- Extent:
- 0.2 Linear Feet 1 box.
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[Box/folder #, or item name] Mary A. Safford Collection, Coll2018-020, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Mary A. Safford Collection contains several letters of correspondence between Safford and an individual named "Theo." The letters corresponding with "Theo" span from the early 1900s to the 1920s and their content describes issues regarding the Unitarian church and its development, as well as their discussions of responsibilities within the organization. Although, the majority of letters are in correspondence with "Theo" there are also a few letters that address other individuals in their help with the Church. There are also several folders that contain photographs of men. Some photographs are of men in the military and other photographs are of men at the beach. There is also a folder with background information concerning Mary Safford's path to becoming a Unitarian minister.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Mary Augusta Safford was born on December 23, 1851 on farm near the Mississippi River. She began her preaching career as a little girl and her first pulpit was a tree stump near her home. In her youth she befriended Eleanor Gordon and in their 20s began a lifelong friendship.
Throughout her life, Safford fought for equality between men and women. As a pastor she helped break stereotypes that only men could lead religious services. She also fought for women's right to vote by encouraging all women to take a stand. She served as president of both Iowa's and Florida's Equal Suffrage Associations and was on the board of directors of the National American Suffrage Association. She was ordained in 1880 and served as a Unitarian Minister until her death in 1927. Safford founded Unitarian Churches in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota. Mary Safford died in Orlando, Florida of a heart attack on October 25, 1927.
- Acquisition information:
- Donor and method of acquisition unknown.
- Processing information:
-
Collection processed by Kathy Pulupa, 2018.
- Arrangement:
-
Correspondence are at the beginning of the collection followed by photographs.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-04-07 17:56:43 -0700 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
- Terms of access:
-
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Box/folder #, or item name] Mary A. Safford Collection, Coll2018-020, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.
- Location of this collection:
-
909 West Adams BoulevardLos Angeles, CA 90007, US
- Contact:
- (213) 821-2771