May, Abby W. (1829–1888)

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May, Abby W. (1829–1888)

American activist and suffragist. Name variations: Abigail Williams May. Born Abigail Williams May, April 21, 1829, in Boston, MA; died Nov 30, 1888, in Boston; dau. of Samuel May (hardware merchant and woolen manufacturer) and Mary (Goddard) May; 1st cousin of Abba May Alcott, mother of Louisa M. Alcott.

Worked as secretary and chair of executive committee (1862–66) for New England's Women's Auxiliary Association of the US Sanitary Commission; served as trustee of Tuskegee Institute (1882–88); was a founder (1868) and president (1877–79) of New England Women's Club; elected to but denied seat on Boston School Committee (1873); lobbied successfully for legislation to permit women to serve on Boston School Committee (passed 1874), then served 2 terms (1874–78); appointed to MA state Board of Education (1879–88).

See also Ednah Dow Cheney, Memoirs of Lucretia Crocker and Abby W. May (1893).