Late 19th century, Martha Cranston, seated, left and Augustine Churchman.

Martha Cranston of Newport became active in the suffrage cause in 1889 as suffrage chairman of the Delaware Woman's Christian Temperance Union.  That organization had taken a stand in favor of suffrage the year before.  They thought that votes for women could help advance their main cause, Prohibition.  Mrs. Cranston was a lifelong supporter of that cause.

   She also had what turned out to be a lifelong commitment to suffrage.  Mrs. Cranston served as president of the Delaware Equal Suffrage Association from its founding in 1895 until 1915.  During much of that time, a faithful few kept the cause quietly alive in Delaware.  Once the struggle became more active, Mrs. Cranston did not support the methods of the Congressional Union.  She had no regrets when the Delaware Equal Suffrage Association and the Congressional Union parted company in mid 1915.

   After women got the vote, Mrs. Cranston served as honorary president of the League of Women Voters.