Social Reformer. Born Abigail Williams May, she was educated privately and became a leader in several civic causes, including education, abolition and women's rights. In 1859 she was a founder of the obstetrics clinic of the New England Female Medical College. During the Civil War she oversaw medical care and distribution of supplies as a leader of the New England Women's Auxiliary, a group organized to care for sick and wounded soldiers. After the war she was active in the New England Freedman's Society and similar organizations formed to address the needs of recently freed slaves. May was a leader in the New England School Suffrage Society, an organization which advocated allowing women to take part in governing public schools. In 1873 she and three others became some of the first women elected to office in the United States when they won seats on Boston's School Committee. The panel refused to seat them, but in 1874 the state legislature passed a law allowing women to serve, and May and several other women won seats in the following election. In 1879 she was appointed to the Massachusetts Board of Education. May was a national leader in education reform, especially vocational training and increasing college opportunities for women, African Americans and recent immigrants, and the reforms she advocated for Massachusetts became the model for similar reforms in numerous other states. May Hall at Framingham State College and Abby W. May Elementary School in Roxbury are named for her.
Social Reformer. Born Abigail Williams May, she was educated privately and became a leader in several civic causes, including education, abolition and women's rights. In 1859 she was a founder of the obstetrics clinic of the New England Female Medical College. During the Civil War she oversaw medical care and distribution of supplies as a leader of the New England Women's Auxiliary, a group organized to care for sick and wounded soldiers. After the war she was active in the New England Freedman's Society and similar organizations formed to address the needs of recently freed slaves. May was a leader in the New England School Suffrage Society, an organization which advocated allowing women to take part in governing public schools. In 1873 she and three others became some of the first women elected to office in the United States when they won seats on Boston's School Committee. The panel refused to seat them, but in 1874 the state legislature passed a law allowing women to serve, and May and several other women won seats in the following election. In 1879 she was appointed to the Massachusetts Board of Education. May was a national leader in education reform, especially vocational training and increasing college opportunities for women, African Americans and recent immigrants, and the reforms she advocated for Massachusetts became the model for similar reforms in numerous other states. May Hall at Framingham State College and Abby W. May Elementary School in Roxbury are named for her.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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