RAOUL FAMILY.
Raoul family papers > Letters and personal papers > Eleonore Raoul papers

Biographical Note

Eleonore Raoul was born November 13, 1888 on Staten Island in New York. She received her early education at Washington Seminary in Atlanta, the Veltin School in New York City, and Saint Timothy's School near Baltimore. After her debut in Atlanta in 1907, Eleonore worked with the Associated Charities of Atlanta, took correspondence courses through the University of Chicago, and attended the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy in 1912.

In 1915-1916, she served as organizer, press agent, and later as chairman of the Fulton and DeKalb Counties Branch of the Equal Suffrage Party of Georgia. She went on to work for a year with the National American Woman Suffrage Association as a field organizer in West Virginia and in the national offices of the Association in New York City. Returning to Atlanta in 1917, Eleonore enrolled in the Lamar School of Law at Emory University, and in 1920, became the first woman graduate of that school. Her brief law practice in Atlanta was interrupted the following year by a serious illness. During the early 1920's, Eleonore helped organize the Atlanta League of Women Voters and served as its president in 1922 and 1930. She remained active in Georgia League of Women Voters work throughout her life. She was the recipient of an honorary degree from Emory University in 1979. In 1928, Eleonore married Atlanta lawyer, Harry Letcher Greene. The couple adopted three children, Harry L., Jr. (b. 1931), Victoria (b. 1931), and Eleonore Raoul (b. 1935).

Scope and Content Note

Papers of Eleonore Raoul include correspondence, diaries, speeches, and other writings, subject files, clippings, and memorabilia. Also included are materials documenting her work with the woman's suffrage movement and the League of Women Voters in Georgia.

Eleonore Raoul's letters to her friends and family date from 1895 to 1968, with the majority dating between 1906 and 1918. Many are to her mother, with others to her sister Rosine and daughter Lee. The early letters concern her activities at Saint Timothy's School (1905-1907), her extensive travels to visit relatives and friends (1907-1913), and her social and civic activities in Atlanta and Asheville (1909-1911). Letters from Chicago describe her work at a settlement house, her exposure to Socialism and union sentiments, and her attendance at lectures by Jane Addams and Bill Haywood (1912). Other letters concern her visits to Asheville (1910) and Loomis, New York (1912), to take care of sister Rosine.

Between 1915 and 1917, most of Eleonore's letters concern her work with the woman's suffrage movement. She wrote Rosine about her travels and fundraising efforts for the Equal Suffrage Party in Georgia (1915-1916) and discussed her ideological differences with the Party leadership. Lengthy letters to her mother and Rosine during her service as a suffrage field worker in West Virginia for the National American Woman Suffrage Association describe speaking engagements, fund-raising, street meetings, door-to-door work and other activities (April-November 1916). She also discussed her low salary, long hours, lack of progress of the movement in West Virginia, and problems with her supervisors in the National Association. From December 1916 to March 1917, she wrote from the Association's headquarters in New York, where she was hired by Carrie Chapman Catt for general clerical work. Eleonore's later letters include several to sister Rebecca attempting to resolve an old quarrel (1930) and a number to daughter Lee at boarding school (1949-1954).

The incoming letters are from friends and relatives, including several from husband Harry L. Greene and son Hal. There are letters of congratulations on her marriage (1928), and letters regarding her support of French war orphans (1931), her house and property in Highlands, North Carolina and Wadley family genealogy (1938), and sister Mary's last illness (1957-1958). Eleonore's diary (1921-1923) contains brief entries describing her attempts to establish a law practice in Atlanta, her involvement with the League of Women Voters, social events, and her serious illness during the latter half of 1922. The subject files concern activities with civic organizations to improve local government, her service on the boards of Fernbank, Inc. and the Fernbank Forest Association, and other topics.

Eleonore Raoul's suffrage materials include correspondence, printed materials, clippings, posters, and scattered issues of suffrage journals. The correspondence relates to the Equal Suffrage Party of Georgia (1915), Eleonore's resignation as chairman of Fulton and DeKalb Counties Branch of the Party (1916), her work in West Virginia and New York with the National Association (1916-1917), and activities of the National Woman's Party (1917-1918). Correspondents include Carrie Chapman Catt and Alice Paul. Miscellaneous materials relating to the suffrage movement in Georgia include a description of the Atlanta suffrage parade of 1915, items concerning the attempt to merge the Georgia Woman's Suffrage Association and the Equal Suffrage Party of Georgia, and brief reminiscences by Eleonore Raoul about her involvement with the Equal Suffrage Party. One item of particular interest is the "Woman's Journal and Suffrage News Traveling Kampaign Kit" (ca. 70 pages), containing instructions on how to handle fund-raising, publicity, exhibits, meetings, and programs, and providing methods for rebutting anti-suffrage arguments.

The League of Women Voters papers document Eleonore Raoul's involvement with three League organizations - the Atlanta, DeKalb County, and Georgia Leagues. The earliest materials concern the infant Atlanta League of Women Voters during the period of Eleonore's presidency in 1922. Included is a small amount of correspondence, items regarding the League-conducted Charter Campaign (an attempt to give Atlanta a city manager form of government), and the records of the League treasurer, Mrs. W. W. Lotspeich. A few Atlanta League materials of a later date are also present, including Eleonore's reminiscences on the history of the League. The DeKalb County League materials (1946-1959) include Eleonore's file from her service as co-chairman of the 1948 Finance Drive. The Georgia League of Women Voters materials (1946-1958) relate primarily to Eleonore's activities (1946-1948) as chairman of the Organization Committee (renamed the Extension Committee in 1948). Included are correspondence between state officers and individuals in local districts concerning the development of new chapters, reports on the work of the Extension Committee, and radio scripts used for promoting the League and its aims in Georgia.

Arrangement Note

Arranged by record type.