Jennie Eliza Kennedy (born Breneman November 24, 1852 - February 7, 1930) was an American clubwoman and suffragist. Kennedy was one of the activists that helped create the "Pittsburgh Plan" as a women's suffrage strategy.
Biography Born as Jane Eliza Breneman in Mahoning County, Ohio, Jennie E. Kennedy was a daughter of Joseph Breneman and Elizabeth (Linn) Breneman of Poland Township, Mahoning County.
She married Julian Kennedy in 1878. They were the parents of: Lucy B. Kennedy (1879–1962), a graduate of Vassar College who later married John O. Miller; Joseph Walker Kennedy (1884–1950), a graduate of Yale University who went into business with his father; Julian Kennedy (1886–1955); Eliza Jane Kennedy (1889–1964), a graduate of Vassar who later wed R. Templeton Smith,"Miss Eliza J. Kennedy's Engagement Announced." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Gazette Times (Pittsburgh), 1915-05-19, p. 15. and Thomas Walker Kennedy (1894–1922), who studied at Cornell University. In 1922, her son Thomas died the day after Christmas in Schenectady, New York."Kennedy, Thomas Walker." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Post, 1922-12-28, p. 14 (subscription required).
Kennedy was one of the founding members of the Equal Franchise Federation of Pittsburgh and hosted meetings in her home. Kennedy, along with Jennie Bradley Roessing, and Mary E. Bakewell created the "Pittsburgh Plan" for women's suffrage strategies in Pennsylvania. On May 2, 1914, she was the leader or "Boss of the Road" of the suffrage parade in Pittsburgh. This parade was considered "massive" and ended with a rally that included 30 speakers on women's suffrage. Kennedy also hosted Carrie Chapman Catt at her home when she visited Pittsburgh.
Her daughters, Lucy Kennedy Miller and Eliza Kennedy Smith, were also active members of the women's suffrage movement. By 1915, Lucy Miller had become president of the Equal Franchise Federation of Pittsburgh while Eliza had been appointed chair of the federation's membership committee.O'Rourke, Meg. "Proud of her forebears, Eliza Smith Brown is making spaces and history of her own." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2020-10-04."Miss Eliza J. Kennedy's Engagement Announced," The Gazette Times (Pittsburgh), 1915-05-19, p. 15."Lucy Kennedy Miller," in "PGHSuffrage100." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Suffrage Centennial Committee, Office of the Mayor, 2020.
Death and legacy Jennie E. Kennedy died in St. Petersburg, Florida, during a vacation on February 7, 1930. Her estate, which was valued at $200,000, was divided between her husband and children, according to newspaper accounts regarding the probating of her will."Woman Leaves $200,000 Estate: Mrs. Kennedy Distributes Property to Husband and Four Children by Will." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 1930-04-07, p. 2 (subscription required).
See also Women's suffrage in Pennsylvania
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