In 1874 at age 30, May Wright Sewell moved to Indianapolis with her husband to teach German at the Indianapolis High School. A life spent teaching and molding the lives of young women would be accomplishment enough. But it wasn’t enough for May. She went on to become one of the most influential ladies ever to grace this city. Ray E. Boomhower ably tells her story in his book, Fighting For Equality: A Life of May Wright Sewall.
Born in Wisconsin in 1844, merely four years before the groundbreaking conference held at Seneca Falls, May’s parents encouraged her desire for an education. Her father even wanted her to attend his alma mater, Harvard. After completing eighth grade, she became a teacher in a one room schoolhouse to raise funds to attend university. She was able to graduate from Northwestern Female College in Evanston, Illinois after spending a year studying seriously. She then took various teaching posts and met her husband Edwin W. Thompson at one of those posts.
After moving to Indianapolis, she quickly became involved in causes. She was one of the founding members of the College Corner Club, a literary organization for both men and women. She joined the Unitarian Church, the Indianapolis Woman Suffrage Society and the Women’s Club. She quickly rose to leadership positions in these groups. Unfortunately, her husband died prematurely of tuberculosis in 1875. At this time, she vowed to continue to live up to his excellent character.
Continuing to teach, May met Theodore L. Sewall at the Unitarian Church. Later they married and became a joint force in May’s causes and organizations. As time progressed, May’s idealism, intelligence and organizational skills were noticed by progressive persons across the nation. She became involved in the national women’s suffrage movement and later the international women’s suffrage and peace movements. At home in Indianapolis she helped found the Art Association of Indianapolis (which became the current Indianapolis Museum of Art), The Indianapolis Propylaeum, the Contemporary Club, the Portfolio Club and the Girls’ Classical School. She also communicated with the dead and wrote a book about her experiences. Booth Tarkington once called her one of the three most outstanding citizens of Indianapolis. And she was an inspiration and friend to Irvington’s own Grace Julian Clarke.
Come to Bookmamas, 9 S. Johnson Avenue, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29 to discuss this book and May Wright Sewall. A member will report on Seneca Falls and Steve Barnett, Executive Director of the Irvington Historical Society will lead a discussion of Irvington and women’s suffrage. Please feel free to join in this discussion even if you haven’t read the book. May Wright Sewall impacted the lives of each and every one of us.
