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Show ANNA THOMAS Elected 1919 Elected 1929 Anna Annie being first PIERCEY to to 1921 1931 Thomas Piercey was the daughter of Professor Charles J. and Chunn Thomas. ,He was a pioneer of 1861 who is credited with one of the first conductors of the Tabernacle Choir and the leader of the Salt Lake Theatre orchestra. born September 14, 1866 in Salt Lake City and was reared cultural environment where she early realized the advantages an education. From a small private school she went to the B.Y.U. from which she she graduated. Desiring to become a teacher, graduated from the Salt Lake Kindergarten Training School and the Normal Department of the University of Utah. For five years she taught school and taught music as well. Anna in of An was a ardent Democrat, she was a charter member of the Women's Democratic Club, organized in 1896 and known to be the oldest woman's political club in the United States. Along with Elizabeth Hayward, she was a suffragette, and one of the founders of the Woodrow Wilson Club in Utah. 1908 her John Frances died husband, February 12, Piercey, leaving her with three small children, one of whom became the well known J.K. Piercey, chief of the Salt Lake Fire Department. Her schooling and experience was invaluable for she could turn them both to use and avoid being dependent on anyone. On Elected to the Legislature, she was serving in the 1919 session when the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution came before the states for ratification. Not only was the Amendment passed in the Utah House of Representatives but the Speaker of the House invited It was a her to take the Speaker's chair during the roll call. signal honor and a deep satisfaction to her to particiapte in this momentous decision after her many years of working for its passage. In 1929 she was again elected to the House and served in the 1930 special session. During her legislative service she atithored the eight-hour law for women and attached a penalty for its violation to sit on She women which allows law and the also juries. shepherded an amendment to the minimum wage law for women through She was interested in the House but saw it defeated in the Senate. feeble minded and was for the school a state keenly interested in the problems of women and children. securing In 1936 she was which nominated a to delegate the National Democratic Convention for his second term. Roosevelt Franklin D. she befriended and assisted had arrived in a strange city, often relatives to meet them. Through the no Working in the Travelers' Aid Society, hundreds of with little young or no women who funds or 65 |
