Emma Maddox Funck

{{short description|American suffragist}}

File:Emma Maddox Funck.jpg

Emma Maddox Funck (November 19, 1853 – March 21, 1940) was an American suffragist and served as president of the Maryland Woman Suffrage Association (MWSA).

Biography

Funck was born in Baltimore on November 19, 1853, where she attended public school, graduating from Eastern High School.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42056479/the_baltimore_sun/|title=Pioneer Feminist of Maryland Dies|date=1940-03-22|work=The Baltimore Sun|access-date=2020-01-11|pages=28|via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite journal|last=Spiegelman|first=Hannah|title=Biography of Emma Maddox Funck, 1853-1940|url=https://documents.alexanderstreet.com/d/1009656489|journal=Biographical Database of NAWSA Suffragists, 1890-1920|via=Alexander Street}} Her sister, Etta Haynie Maddox, was the first Maryland woman to pass the state bar. Funck attended the Peabody Conservatory of Music and was involved in music in Baltimore. She also sang, performing with her sister, Etta.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42098032/the_cecil_whig/|title=Concert and Readings, at Odd Fellows' Hall|date=1878-10-19|work=The Cecil Whig|access-date=2020-01-12|pages=2|via=Newspapers.com}}

She married a member of the Men's League for Woman Suffrage, Dr. J. William Funck, in 1892. Emma Funck led the Baltimore City Society starting in 1897 and continued until 1920.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GHrkxi3apVoC&q=%22emma+maddox+funck%22&pg=PR1|title=The History of Woman Suffrage|last=National American Woman Suffrage Association|publisher=J.J. Little & Ives Company|year=1922|editor-last=Harper|editor-first=Ida Husted|volume=VI|location=New York|pages=254}} She became the president of the Maryland Women Suffrage Association (MWSA) in 1904, also holding that position until 1920. During her tenure at MWSA, Funck worked on drafting resolutions for an amendment to the Maryland State Constitution allowing women's suffrage.{{Cite journal|last=Schaefer|first=Kate Murphy|title=Maryland Woman Suffrage Association, 1867–1920(?)|url=https://documents.alexanderstreet.com/d/1010111730|journal=Biographical Database of NAWSA Suffragists, 1890–1920|via=Alexander Street}} In 1906, Funck brought the National Women's Suffrage Convention to Baltimore.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42113475/the_baltimore_sun/|title=What the Woman Suffragists Will Do Today|date=1906-02-09|work=The Baltimore Sun|access-date=2020-01-11|pages=7|via=Newspapers.com}}

Funck was also involved in advocating for women to work in the Baltimore police force.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42049821/the_daily_oklahoman/|title=Lady Cops One of Country's Needs|date=1910-08-16|work=The Daily Oklahoman|access-date=2020-01-11|pages=1|via=Newspapers.com}} She also raised issues about women in the workplace.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42056580/tyro_telegram/|title=Laws for Women Earners|date=1909-11-18|work=Tyro Telegram|access-date=2020-01-12|pages=8|via=Newspapers.com}}

In 1920, after women gained the right to vote, Funck helped to organize the Maryland Federation of Republican Women and served as the first president. Funck ran for Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in Baltimore in 1928, becoming the "first woman to run for a city-wide office in Baltimore."

Funck died in her home in Baltimore on March 21, 1940, after suffering a week-long illness. She was buried in Greenmount Cemetery.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42049776/the_baltimore_sun/|title=Mrs. Emma Maddox Funck|date=1940-03-23|work=The Baltimore Sun|access-date=2020-01-11|pages=7|via=Newspapers.com}}

References