[IHB-ISL] Emma Molloy Historical Marker to be Dedicated September 4th

"Emma Molloy" State Historical Marker To Be Dedicated in Elkhart, Indiana

A public dedication ceremony for an Indiana state historical marker commemorating editor and women's suffrage leader Emma Molloy is scheduled for Wednesday, September 4, 2024 in Elkhart County. The program will begin at 11:00 am at the downtown Elkhart Public Library at 300 S. Second St. Parking for the program is available at the library.

The text follows for the state marker entitled "Emma Molloy, 1839-1907:"

Activist and evangelist Emma Molloy was born in South Bend. As editor of the city's National Union in the 1860s, she advocated for women's rights and their entrance into the public sphere. Molloy moved to Elkhart, where she co-founded the Observer in 1872. Here, she grew into a prolific political reformer and public speaker, advancing temperance and women's liberation. Molloy lobbied for temperance and liberalized divorce laws as a means to reduce financial hardship and abuse endured by wives. Realizing the ballot was necessary to effect this change, she advocated for women's suffrage. Her speeches catapulted her to an international stage, as she lectured in England and spoke at National Woman Suffrage Association conventions.

The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony for this historical marker that commemorates Molloy's work as a newspaper editor, as well as her contributions on behalf of women's rights and suffrage. Representatives from the Elkhart County Historical Museum, part of Elkhart County Parks, and the Indiana Historical Bureau, a division of the Indiana State Library, will share more about Molloy and her work at the program. This is the fifteenth state historical marker to be installed in the county. For a listing of other markers in the county, visit: https://www.in.gov/history/state-historical-markers/find-a-marker/find-historical-markers-by-county/indiana-historical-markers-by-county/#elkhart.

State historical markers commemorate significant individuals, organizations, places, and events in Indiana history. These markers help communities throughout the state promote, preserve, and present their history for the education of residents and tourists of all ages. For over 100 years the Indiana Historical Bureau (IHB), a division of the Indiana State Library, has been marking Indiana history. Since 1946, the marker format has been the large roadside marker, which has the familiar dark blue background with gold lettering and the outline of the state of Indiana at the top. Over 750 of these markers have been installed over the years.

For more information about the Indiana Historical Marker Program, including details on this marker, a listing of other markers in the state, or other resources about Indiana, visit the Indiana Historical Bureau's website at http://www.IN.gov/history or call (317) 232-2535. For more information on the dedication, contact Samuel Householder, Communications Manager at the Elkhart Public Library or Elkhart County Historical Museum Administrator and marker applicant Julie Parke.