THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT
Elizabeth “Betty” Coxe Spaulding
November 30, 1920 – October 31, 2001
“It only took one session in divorce court.” – Betty Spaulding, when asked about how she went from debutante to activist
Debutante turned feminist and political activist. Fought to gain equal rights for women, especially in divorce settlements. Activism began after being mistreated by a judge and lawyers when she filed for divorce. Joined Connecticut NOW, 1968. Founder, Greenwich NOW, 1970. Played active role in passage of Connecticut Equal Rights Amendment, 1974. President, Greater Hartford chapter, National Organization for Women. Chairwoman, family justice task force on divorce and custody issues (NOW); twice named as one of 100 outstanding women in the state. Chairwoman, Connecticut delegation, National Women’s Conference, Houston, 1997. Charter member, Connecticut Permanent Commission on the Status of Women.
Photo. Betty in Washington, D.C. circa November 1941-June 1942. © John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.
More About Betty:
- Obituary, The Hartford Courant
- Betty’s remarks, Veteran Feminists of America, Salute to Family Justice Lawyers, Judges & Activists, Irvington, NY, June 1995
- Papers of NOW officer Elizabeth Coxe Spaulding, Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute.
- Cited in Barbara Love’s Book, Feminists Who Changed America, 1963–1975, page 435