Evelyn Wotherspoon Wainwright

Evelyn Wotherspoon was born on June 13, 1853, in Washington, D.C. In 1873, she married the military officer Richard Wainwright, with whom she had three children.^[1]

Wainwright was a suffragist.^[2] She was a founding member of the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage and the National Woman's Party (NWP). Wainwright used her position as a Washington socialite to further the cause of suffrage by hosting parties and receptions; specifically, in December 1915 she held a reception for the Congressional Union of Woman Suffrage. Wainwright was also known as a public speaker, speaking at the U.S. Senate Committee and the House of Representative. She presented a speech called Appeal to Lafayette at a Lafayette Monument demonstration in 1917.^[1] Wainwright picketed the White House during Woodrow Wilson's administration as part of the Silent Sentinels.^[3]

Wainwright served as the Chairman of the Committee on Presentation of Picket Pins for the NWP.^[1] The picket pins were available to all NWP members who picketed between 1917 and 1919.^[4]

Wainwright was also involved with the organization of the Girl Pioneers of Washington, which later became part of the Girl Scouts of America.^[1]

Wainwright died on November 24, 1937, in Washington, D.C., aged 84. She is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.^[5]

• List of suffragists and suffragettes