Madeline
McDowell
was born in Woodlake, Kentucky, on 20th May, 1872. After studying
at the University of Kentucky (1890-94) she married Desha Breckinridge,
editor
of the Lexington Herald
and brother of Sophonisba Breckinridge.
Inspired by the women who had created Hull
House in Chicago, Breckinridge established
a social settlement at Proctor, Kentucky. She also helped establish
the Women's
Emergency Committee, which agitated successfully
for playgrounds and kindergartens in the area. Breckinridge was also
active in the campaign against child labour.
Breckinridge, who suffered from tuberculosis, helped establish the
Kentucky Tuberculosis Commission in 1912
and served as its vice-president until 1916.
A supporter of women's suffrage, Breckinridge was president of the
Kentucky Equal Rights Association (1912-15
and 1919-20) and vice president of the National
American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) (1913-15).
Considered to be one of the movement's best orators, Breckinridge
toured the country campaigning for the vote. After the passing of
the 19th Amendment she concentrated on supporting
the recently formed League of Nations.
Madeline Breckinridge
died in Lexington, Kentucky on 25th November, 1920.
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