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MARION S. FRANK

Program
National Votes for Women Trail
Subject
People
Location
402 Ford St, Ogdensburg, NY 13669, USA
Lat/Long
44.69816, -75.49173
Grant Recipient
National Collaborative for Women's History Sites
Historic Marker

MARION S. FRANK

Inscription

MARION S. FRANK
LED CITY OF OGDENSBURG
SUFFRAGE FIGHT, 1914-1917.
AS MAYOR, HUSBAND JULIUS
SUPPORTED SUFFRAGE FOR
NEW YORK STATE WOMEN, 1917.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2022

Marion S. Frank led the city of Ogdensburg, New York in the fight for women’s suffrage, most notably throughout the years of 1914-1917. She and her husband, Julius, who served as Mayor of Ogdensburg, supported women’s suffrage and helped galvanize the community behind the women’s suffrage movement.

Marion was born in New York City to a Jewish family that was socially and politically active throughout her childhood with her father serving as the President of the New York Board of Education, though her parents died while she was still young. She and Julius, an attorney and politician, were married in 1897. The married couple would soon become leading figures in the women’s suffrage movement in the Ogdensburg community. Marion served as the president of the Ogdensburg Political Equality Club, while Julius served as chair of the Ogdensburg Men’s League for Woman Suffrage. Julius openly and vocally supported the women’s suffrage movement throughout his time as mayor from 1914-1918. Julius also marched in a New York City Suffrage Parade as a member of the Men’s League for Women’s Suffrage.

As president of the Ogdensburg Political Equality Club, Marion authored editorials, delivered speeches, scheduled and hosted lectures, organized parades, and helped fundraise for the organization. In particular, Marion used newspaper editorials and articles as a way to bring attention to the women’s suffrage movement throughout Ogdensburg.

The Franks remained involved in politics even after women in New York gained the right to vote in State elections in 1917, and the subsequent passage and ratification of the 19th amendment in 1920. Both campaigned for Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935.

Marion passed away in 1960 after moving back to Ogdensburg, two years after her Julius’ death in 1958. This marker installed at Ogdensburg City Hall commemorates their leadership in the women’s suffrage movement within Ogdensburg.