For a list of the images in this collection click here and go to the WHMC photograph database
Karen Nelson donated the collection to WHMC on November 24, 1995. The scrapbook and records were her mother's, Genevieve Nelson. Genevieve belonged to the St. Louis League of Women Voters and was a friend of and secretary for Edna Gellhorn.
Edna Fischel Gellhorn was born in St. Louis on December 18, 1878 to Dr. Washington E. and Martha Ellis Fischel. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1900 with an AB degree. She married Dr. George Gellhorn in 1903. Dr. Gellhorn was an internationally known obstetrician and gynecologist. He also taught at Washington University. They had four children.
Gellhorn was a civic leader and active in the woman's suffrage movement. She worked with various organizations, including: the National League of Women Voters, a group she helped found and served as its first vice-president; the St. Louis League of Women Voters, president and active member; the Missouri League of Women Voters, president and active member; Missouri Equal Suffrage League; National Association of University Women; St. Louis Board of Children's Guardians; Social Hygiene Association; Interracial Committee; Social Security Commission; Slum Clearance Commission; People's Art Center; American Association for the United Nations; Citizens Committee on Nuclear Information; John Burroughs School, one of the founders; National Municipal League; and St. Louis Urban League.
She received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities from Lindenwood College in 1956 and honorary degrees of Doctor of Laws from Bryn Mawr College in 1960 and Washington University in 1964. She died September 24, 1970.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The Scrapbook includes correspondence to Edna Gellhorn from Genevieve Nelson, to Genevieve from Edna, and to Genevieve from Edna's family members; newsclippings about Edna and woman's suffrage; and booklets on the League of Women Voters.
The Phonograph Records include Helen Bebie's Birthday Party on February 15, 1959 by Edna Lieber ;"Edna," words by Mrs. Virgil Loeb sung by Mrs. Alice Meyer; "Suffrage Beginnings," voice of Edna Gellhorn made from TV tape; and Voice of Edna on birthday December 18, 1963.
The Photographs series contains three photographs, 642.1-642.3.
Other information on Edna Gellhorn appears in the following collections:
#232 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MISSOURI,
PAPERS, 1911-1976
#530 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF ST. LOUIS ADDENDA, 1916-1977
INDEX
Bebie, Helen
Ethical Society of St. Louis
Fischel, Martha Ellis
Gellhorn, Edna Fischel (Mrs. George)
Gellhorn, George
League of Women Voters of Missouri
League of Women Voters of Normandy
League of Women Voters of St. Louis
Missouri League of Women Voters
National League of Women Voters
Nelson, Carroll E.
Nelson, Genevieve (Mrs. Carroll)
Normandy League of Women Voters
St. Louis Equal Suffrage League
St. Louis League of Women Voters
United Nations Association of the USA
Woman's Suffrage
WESTERN HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION
222 THOMAS JEFFERSON LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS
8001 NATURAL BRIDGE ROAD
ST. LOUIS, MO 63121
(314) 516-5143
whmc@umsl.edu