Boston
and many others. The fall meeting was held in Boston November 30, when
Miss Mary Garrett Hay, national vice-president, spoke on the national
suffrage situation and there were addresses by heads of civic and
philanthropic organizations.

1919. The mid-winter meeting was held in Worcester February 15 and
eight young girls presented to Miss Blackwell the national petition
bearing 16,434 names, many more than the quota for this city. The
State meeting was held May 21, 22, in Boston. While it was in session
the news came that the Federal Suffrage Amendment had passed the U. S.
House of Representatives. This called out great enthusiasm and it was
voted to telegraph Mrs. Maud Wood Park: "Three cheers for our
Congressional Chairman! Very proud that Mrs. Park is a Massachusetts
woman!" The following Sunday the Boston association held a meeting in
Tremont Theater to rejoice, with Samuel L. Powers, a prominent
Republican lawyer, presiding, and addresses by Mrs. Park, Joseph
Conry, a prominent Democrat, and Secretary of State Langtry for
Governor Coolidge.

1920. The annual meeting was again held in Boston, May 27, 28, Mrs.
Bird presiding. She stated that it was the 100th anniversary of the
birth of Julia Ward Howe, to whose work for suffrage and other good
causes a heart-felt tribute was paid. Mrs. Bird presented Miss
Blackwell with a laurel wreath as representing the pioneers and as
having been at the head of the association when victory was won. As
the complete ratification was almost at hand it was voted to take
legal steps to dissolve the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association.
Later it was decided, in accordance with the policy of the National
Association, to continue it as a skeleton organization with the same
officers until all possible need for it should be over. The State
League of Women Voters was organized, with Mrs. George R. Fearing,
Jr., as chairman and Miss Blackwell as honorary president, the
delegates and members of the association enrolling in the new society.
The New England Woman Suffrage Association never formally disbanded
but simply ceased to meet.

From 1910 onward what had tended most to increase membership was the
formation of the Woman Suffrage Party to work as the State
association, with a non-dues-paying membership of men and women,
similar to the political parties, having district leaders, precinct
captains and ward chairmen, strictly non-partisan and solely to
promote woman suffrage. T