The 1930s
As a new decade began in 1930, the country was at the outset of the decade-long Great Depression. Montgomery County was highly agricultural at the time with a population of 49,206 (a 41 percent increase from the 1920 census). The most rural areas of the county were hardest hit by the Depression, but other areas, especially those closest to Washington, D.C., were largely insulated because of the growth of the federal government and resulting employment. [1] While the county was in no way immune to the Depression, the 1930s did mark the beginning of tremendous growth.
As a new decade began in 1930, the country was at the outset of the decade-long Great Depression. Montgomery County was highly agricultural at the time with a population of 49,206 (a 41 percent increase from the 1920 census). The most rural areas of the county were hardest hit by the Depression, but other areas, especially those closest to Washington, D.C., were largely insulated because of the growth of the federal government and resulting employment. [1] While the county was in no way immune to the Depression, the 1930s did mark the beginning of tremendous growth.
For the majority of women, their domain continued to be that of home and family. This is not to say that women didn't work outside the home. In fact, for many women, finding (or keeping) employment during the Depression was easier than for men. This is because working women were generally paid a great deal less than men and worked at jobs that were considered "women's work," such as domestic services, clerical duties, teaching, and nursing. [2] In Montgomery County, women's clubs and the League of Women Voters also continued to be primary avenues for women who were also civic-minded.
For the majority of women, their domain continued to be that of home and family. This is not to say that women didn't work outside the home. In fact, for many women, finding (or keeping) employment during the Depression was easier than for men. This is because working women were generally paid a great deal less than men and worked at jobs that were considered "women's work," such as domestic services, clerical duties, teaching, and nursing. [2] In Montgomery County, women's clubs and the League of Women Voters also continued to be primary avenues for women who were also civic-minded.
Harris & Ewing, photographer. First Capitol telephone operator still on job. Washington, D.C., July 30. Washington D.C, 1937. Photograph. Retrieved from Library of Congress (https://www.loc.gov/item/2016872097/).
Change on the Horizon
Change on the Horizon
The structure of Montgomery County government in 1930 was much the same as it was 80 years earlier, with a five-person Board of Commissioners that had "some legislative power in various functional fields" but acted "principally as an administrative body for the execution of functions assigned to it by the state legislature." [3] County politics were dominated by influential Democrats who were closely allied with Governor Albert Ritchie, Maryland's longest serving Governor.
The structure of Montgomery County government in 1930 was much the same as it was 80 years earlier, with a five-person Board of Commissioners that had "some legislative power in various functional fields" but acted "principally as an administrative body for the execution of functions assigned to it by the state legislature." [3] County politics were dominated by influential Democrats who were closely allied with Governor Albert Ritchie, Maryland's longest serving Governor.
Behind the scenes, however, efforts were underway to shift the county's political power structure. A number of forces were at play, including different visions for the future of the county and suburban development and disagreements over how, and by whom, the increased need for services and countywide infrastructure would be financed. [4] Over time, the political landscape of the county would change dramatically and, with that, open the door for new and expanded roles for women. While the change efforts largely originated at the Farmers' Convention at Sandy Spring and were led by the Montgomery County Civic Federation, a number of other organizations also had significant involvement, including women's clubs, the Montgomery County League of Women Voters, farm groups, and the other civic organizations.
Behind the scenes, however, efforts were underway to shift the county's political power structure. A number of forces were at play, including different visions for the future of the county and suburban development and disagreements over how, and by whom, the increased need for services and countywide infrastructure would be financed. [4] Over time, the political landscape of the county would change dramatically and, with that, open the door for new and expanded roles for women. While the change efforts largely originated at the Farmers' Convention at Sandy Spring and were led by the Montgomery County Civic Federation, a number of other organizations also had significant involvement, including women's clubs, the Montgomery County League of Women Voters, farm groups, and the other civic organizations.
Edward Brooke Lee, Library of Congress, undated. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edward_brook_lee.jpg.
One of the county's most prominent and influential Democrats of the time was Colonel E. Brooke Lee—known as "The Colonel" and "The Boss." [5] Lee was a World War One decorated veteran and the son of U.S. Senator Blair Lee. An attorney, Lee became a prominent developer in the county, and he is credited with establishing numerous residential neighborhoods. However, his practice of using racial covenants to prohibit African Americans from purchasing and renting homes in these neighborhoods and subdivisions deepened segregation and cut off an important source of economic opportunity for a large segment of the population in Montgomery County. [6]
One of the county's most prominent and influential Democrats of the time was Colonel E. Brooke Lee—known as "The Colonel" and "The Boss." [5] Lee was a World War One decorated veteran and the son of U.S. Senator Blair Lee. An attorney, Lee became a prominent developer in the county, and he is credited with establishing numerous residential neighborhoods. However, his practice of using racial covenants to prohibit African Americans from purchasing and renting homes in these neighborhoods and subdivisions deepened segregation and cut off an important source of economic opportunity for a large segment of the population in Montgomery County. [6]
Prior to representing Montgomery County in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1927 to 1930, Lee served as Maryland's Comptroller from 1919 to 1922 and Secretary of State from 1923 to 1925. His ideas for growth and development, at least initially, were widely supported. "His program for planned suburban growth won the support of County builders and developers as well as of the influential civic associations and the League of Women Voters." [7]
Prior to representing Montgomery County in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1927 to 1930, Lee served as Maryland's Comptroller from 1919 to 1922 and Secretary of State from 1923 to 1925. His ideas for growth and development, at least initially, were widely supported. "His program for planned suburban growth won the support of County builders and developers as well as of the influential civic associations and the League of Women Voters." [7]
Lee was instrumental in creating the Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission (WSSC) and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), on which he served from 1942 to 1948. He was also the State Roads Commissioner in 1934. While Lee served in various roles and offices, he remained a constant and influential force in Montgomery County politics—including the success or failure of future political leaders—for more than four decades. [8]
Lee was instrumental in creating the Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission (WSSC) and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), on which he served from 1942 to 1948. He was also the State Roads Commissioner in 1934. While Lee served in various roles and offices, he remained a constant and influential force in Montgomery County politics—including the success or failure of future political leaders—for more than four decades. [8]
At the time, county politics was also very much a male domain, with the exception of one woman. In 1930, Lavinia Margaret Engle, a former suffrage leader and President of the League of Women Voters, became the first Montgomery County woman elected to to the Maryland House of Delegates. (With the backing of Colonel Lee, of course!) She also served for a brief time as the first woman on the Board of Commissioners before joining the newly created Social Security Administration under President Roosevelt. As a member of the League of Women Voters, she continued her efforts to educate and inform women about their government.
At the time, county politics was also very much a male domain, with the exception of one woman. In 1930, Lavinia Margaret Engle, a former suffrage leader and President of the League of Women Voters, became the first Montgomery County woman elected to to the Maryland House of Delegates. (With the backing of Colonel Lee, of course!) She also served for a brief time as the first woman on the Board of Commissioners before joining the newly created Social Security Administration under President Roosevelt. As a member of the League of Women Voters, she continued her efforts to educate and inform women about their government.
Lavinia Engle, Social Security Administration, 1968. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lavinia2.jpg.
"It may be urged that these men were politically important in their own States. But so is Lavinia Engle. Not only has she served through two sessions of the Maryland Legislature, but she is known throughout her State as an authority on public questions. She is also prominent in the party councils of her State, standing high in the Ritchie-Lee organization. It is not too much to say that when it comes to real political achievement of the type that presuffrage leaders claimed woman suffrage would make possible, no woman can match her record. If women were discussed and evaluated in the same way as men, it would surely have been valid for some astute writer on cabinet possibilities to have included her."
"It may be urged that these men were politically important in their own States. But so is Lavinia Engle. Not only has she served through two sessions of the Maryland Legislature, but she is known throughout her State as an authority on public questions. She is also prominent in the party councils of her State, standing high in the Ritchie-Lee organization. It is not too much to say that when it comes to real political achievement of the type that presuffrage leaders claimed woman suffrage would make possible, no woman can match her record. If women were discussed and evaluated in the same way as men, it would surely have been valid for some astute writer on cabinet possibilities to have included her."
~ From an article about appointments to Roosevelt's cabinet, Sunday Star (Washington, DC), April 23, 1933.
By the mid to late 1930s, the county's concentrated political power—"the machine," as it was later called—and old way of doing things increasingly came under scrutiny. The Montgomery County Civic Federation, created in 1925 and comprising 18 community associations and organizations countywide, began to assert its power. Interestingly, Colonel Lee was an original member of the Civic Federation and a proponent of reorganizing county government, although both would ultimately erode his power. [9] "Influenced by New Deal politics and by an influx of progressive-minded federal employees," the Federation shifted its attention from suburban development to how the county was governed. In 1937, the Federation established a committee to explore ways to improve county government; subsequently, the Federation passed a resolution, recommending that a formal, professional study be undertaken. [10]
By the mid to late 1930s, the county's concentrated political power—"the machine," as it was later called—and old way of doing things increasingly came under scrutiny. The Montgomery County Civic Federation, created in 1925 and comprising 18 community associations and organizations countywide, began to assert its power. Interestingly, Colonel Lee was an original member of the Civic Federation and a proponent of reorganizing county government, although both would ultimately erode his power. [9] "Influenced by New Deal politics and by an influx of progressive-minded federal employees," the Federation shifted its attention from suburban development to how the county was governed. In 1937, the Federation established a committee to explore ways to improve county government; subsequently, the Federation passed a resolution, recommending that a formal, professional study be undertaken. [10]
Evening star. (Washington, D.C.), October 14, 1938. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress.
By the end of 1938, support for an independent, professional survey of county government was widespread, and the Board of Commissioners engaged the services of The Brookings Institution, a non-profit public policy and research organization, to conduct such a survey.
By the end of 1938, support for an independent, professional survey of county government was widespread, and the Board of Commissioners engaged the services of The Brookings Institution, a non-profit public policy and research organization, to conduct such a survey.
It would be another three years before The Brookings Institution's report debuted. In the meantime, county women wasted no time educating themselves about local politics.
It would be another three years before The Brookings Institution's report debuted. In the meantime, county women wasted no time educating themselves about local politics.
“If the women of one little American town took this year's political crisis seriously, studied their own problem conscientiously and voted intelligently, and in a body, they might change history. The power of women’s clubs, of parent-teacher organizations, of business women's groups is hardly suspected by themselves. But believe me, the Nation’s politicians know it.”
“If the women of one little American town took this year's political crisis seriously, studied their own problem conscientiously and voted intelligently, and in a body, they might change history. The power of women’s clubs, of parent-teacher organizations, of business women's groups is hardly suspected by themselves. But believe me, the Nation’s politicians know it.”
~ Kathleen Norris, "It's Smart, and Easy, To Get Into Politics," Evening Star (Washington, DC), May 1, 1932 .
Throughout the 1930s, women's clubs focused on numerous issues relevant to the times, including social services and welfare, children's health, education, and libraries. But in the autumn of 1939, spurred on by the Montgomery County Federation of Woman's Clubs and League of Women Voters, and no doubt influenced by the work of the Civic Federation, they set their sights on the topic: "Know Your County." [11] Women's clubs throughout the county created "Know Your County" study groups and committees and began their deep dive into local politics and debates.
Throughout the 1930s, women's clubs focused on numerous issues relevant to the times, including social services and welfare, children's health, education, and libraries. But in the autumn of 1939, spurred on by the Montgomery County Federation of Woman's Clubs and League of Women Voters, and no doubt influenced by the work of the Civic Federation, they set their sights on the topic: "Know Your County." [11] Women's clubs throughout the county created "Know Your County" study groups and committees and began their deep dive into local politics and debates.
Bethesda Journal, November 10, 1939. Retrieved from Montgomery History Digital Archives Collection.
One such club was the Woman's Democratic Club of Leland, Chevy Chase, which was created in 1933. Stella Biddison Werner, a Maryland native with politics in her blood, served as the Leland Club's first president. Werner was the daughter of Maryland State Senator John S. Biddison. Her grandfather, also named John S. Biddison, served in the House of Delegates in 1868. [12]
One such club was the Woman's Democratic Club of Leland, Chevy Chase, which was created in 1933. Stella Biddison Werner, a Maryland native with politics in her blood, served as the Leland Club's first president. Werner was the daughter of Maryland State Senator John S. Biddison. Her grandfather, also named John S. Biddison, served in the House of Delegates in 1868. [12]
“The Leland Club decided it should be better informed about government so it set up committees to study the whole national government. … They weren’t satisfied with studying the Federal Government. They turned to Montgomery County to study its government. That was really a hot potato. I found out in some of the meetings that some of the women did not want to do that. I realized that some of them had husbands in the county government who were political appointments.”
“The Leland Club decided it should be better informed about government so it set up committees to study the whole national government. … They weren’t satisfied with studying the Federal Government. They turned to Montgomery County to study its government. That was really a hot potato. I found out in some of the meetings that some of the women did not want to do that. I realized that some of them had husbands in the county government who were political appointments.”
~ Stella B. Werner, Oral History, Interview #2, November 18, 1971, p.17, Montgomery History.
Footnotes:
[1] MacMaster & Hiebert, (1976), p. 295.[2] Rotondi, Jessica Pearce. (2019). "Underpaid, But Employed: How the Great Depression Affected Working Women." History Stories at History.com.[3] Brookings Institution, pps. 17, 28.[4] MacMaster & Hiebert. (1976), Ch. 14.[5] Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, MD), August 4, 1999.[6] Rotenstein, D. (2017). “There's more to fighting racism than getting rid of a confederate statue: Montgomery county needs to reckon with its history of discriminatory housing practices.” The Washington Post, March 3, 2017.[7] MacMaster & Hiebert. (1976). p. 264.[8] Maryland State Archives, Biographical Series (E. Brooke Lee).[9] MacMaster & Hiebert. (1976). pps. 273-274.[10] Montgomery County Archives. (2018). Guide to the Records of the Montgomery County Civic Federation, 1925-1988.[11] Sunday Star (Washington, DC), August 13, 1939, which describes "Know Your Government" as a program of the Federation of Women's Clubs; however, newspaper articles from the 1920s support that the topic was first introduced by the League of Women Voters.[12] Montgomery County Commission for Women. Stella Biddison Werner (1900-1981).Header Image Source: Highsmith, C. M., photographer. Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, Washington, D.C. United States Washington D.C, None. [Between 1980 and 2006] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress ( https://www.loc.gov/item/2015646007/).