Hughan, Jessie (1875–1955)

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Hughan, Jessie (1875–1955)

American educator, socialist, and pacifist. Name variations: Jessie Wallace Hughan. Born Jessie Wallace Hughan, Dec 25, 1875, in Brooklyn, NY; died April 10, 1955, in New York, NY; dau. of Samuel Hughan and Margaret (West) Hughan.

Taught at schools in NY, serving as chair of Textile High School English department and head of Cooperative Annex (1900–45); became socialist (1907) and served on executive committee of Socialist Party; published doctoral thesis, The Present Status of Socialism in America (1911) as well as A Study of International Government (1923) and a collection of poetry, The Challenge of Mars and Other Verses (1932); as a Socialist, ran unsuccessfully for alderman in NY (1915), secretary of state (1918), lieutenant governor (1920) and US senator (1924); organized Anti-Enlistment League (1915); became charter member of Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR); created Committee for Enrollment Against War (1922); founded War Resisters League (WRL), serving as secretary (1923–45); helped found United Pacifist Committee (1938) and Pacifist Teachers League (1940); honored with establishment of Jessie Wallace Hughan Memorial Fund (Dec 1955).