India Edwards
Encyclopedia
India Edwards was a United States
Democratic
politician and Vice Chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee
. She was an advocate for women in politics. Edwards died at the Fircrest Convalescent Hospital in Sebastopol; at the time of her death the 94-year-old lived in Greenbrae, California
. Her memoirs, Pulling No Punches, were published by G. P. Putnam's Sons
's in 1977.
. She got married for the first time in 1917 to Daniel Sharp, who died a year later in World War I
, and for a second time in 1920 to investment banker Jack Moffet. Edwards started her career as a The Chicago Tribune journalist and was society editor from 1918 to 1936 and women's page editor from 1936 to 1942. Edwards and Moffet divorced in 1937 and in 1952 she married her third husband, Herbert T. Edwards (d. late 1970s), who was employed as a State Department official. Edwards left the Chicago Tribune and the couple moved to Washington, D.C.
.
began with her work as a volunteer during the 1944 Presidential election
. She later occupied increasingly important position in the women's division of the party, serving first as executive secretary (1945-47), associate director (1947-48) and finally executive director (1948-53). In 1953, the women's division was integrated into the DNC. In 1950, Edwards was unanimously elected to the Democratic National Committee
(DNC) and occupied the vice-chair position from 1950 to 1956. Still, Edwards remained active in the Democratic Party politics for over thirty years throughout the careers of such politicians as Harry S. Truman
, John F. Kennedy
and Lyndon B. Johnson
.
tour; she was confident he would win, and Truman confided in her that he sometimes thought he and she were the only ones who believed he would win. Her influence over Truman caused him to appoint many women to prominent positions - Eugenia Anderson as United States Ambassador to Denmark
, Perle Mesta
as United States Minister to Luxembourg
, Ruth Bryan Rohde
as an alternate delegate to the United Nations, Eleanor Roosevelt
as the head of the U.S. delegation to the U.N. General Assembly
, and Georgia Neese Clark
as Treasurer of the United States
. At the 1952 Democratic National Convention
, her name was included, as a symbolic gesture, in the nominations for vice-president
. She was the second woman honored in this way at a major party convention, Lena Springs
being the first.
Edwards explained how she increased the number of women in federal positions by saying, "Sometimes I felt like a ghoul. I'd read the obits
, and as soon as a man had died, I'd rush over to the White House and suggest a woman to replace him."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician and Vice Chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
. She was an advocate for women in politics. Edwards died at the Fircrest Convalescent Hospital in Sebastopol; at the time of her death the 94-year-old lived in Greenbrae, California
Greenbrae, California
Greenbrae is a small community in Marin County, California. It is located south-southeast of downtown San Rafael, at an elevation of 33 feet , located adjacent to U.S. Route 101 at the opening of the Ross Valley. Part of Greenbrae is an unincorporated community of the county while the remaining...
. Her memoirs, Pulling No Punches, were published by G. P. Putnam's Sons
G. P. Putnam's Sons
G. P. Putnam's Sons was a major United States book publisher based in New York City, New York. Since 1996, it has been an imprint of the Penguin Group.-History:...
's in 1977.
Early years, family, and career
India Edwards was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Nashville, TennesseeNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. She got married for the first time in 1917 to Daniel Sharp, who died a year later in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and for a second time in 1920 to investment banker Jack Moffet. Edwards started her career as a The Chicago Tribune journalist and was society editor from 1918 to 1936 and women's page editor from 1936 to 1942. Edwards and Moffet divorced in 1937 and in 1952 she married her third husband, Herbert T. Edwards (d. late 1970s), who was employed as a State Department official. Edwards left the Chicago Tribune and the couple moved to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
.
Career with the Democratic Party
Edwards' formal involvement with the Democratic PartyDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
began with her work as a volunteer during the 1944 Presidential election
United States presidential election, 1944
The United States presidential election of 1944 took place while the United States was preoccupied with fighting World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had been in office longer than any other president, but remained popular. Unlike 1940, there was little doubt that Roosevelt would run for...
. She later occupied increasingly important position in the women's division of the party, serving first as executive secretary (1945-47), associate director (1947-48) and finally executive director (1948-53). In 1953, the women's division was integrated into the DNC. In 1950, Edwards was unanimously elected to the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
(DNC) and occupied the vice-chair position from 1950 to 1956. Still, Edwards remained active in the Democratic Party politics for over thirty years throughout the careers of such politicians as Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
, John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
and Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
.
Truman campaigns and administration
Mrs. Edwards accompanied President Harry Truman, who she deeply admired and was called her "political hero," on his 1948 campaignUnited States presidential election, 1948
The United States presidential election of 1948 is considered by most historians as the greatest election upset in American history. Virtually every prediction indicated that incumbent President Harry S. Truman would be defeated by Republican Thomas E. Dewey. Truman won, overcoming a three-way...
tour; she was confident he would win, and Truman confided in her that he sometimes thought he and she were the only ones who believed he would win. Her influence over Truman caused him to appoint many women to prominent positions - Eugenia Anderson as United States Ambassador to Denmark
United States Ambassador to Denmark
The first representative from the United States to Denmark was appointed in 1827 as a Chargé d'Affaires. There followed a series of chargés and ministers until 1890 when the first full ambassador was appointed...
, Perle Mesta
Perle Mesta
Perle Skirvin Mesta was an American socialite, political hostess, and U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg ....
as United States Minister to Luxembourg
United States Ambassador to Luxembourg
The United States has sent ambassadors to Luxembourg since the beginning of the 20th century.This is a complete list of United States envoys and ambassadors appointed to Luxembourg since 1903:- United States Envoys to Luxembourg:* Stanford Newel 1903-1905...
, Ruth Bryan Rohde
Ruth Bryan Owen
Ruth Bryan Owen was the daughter of William Jennings Bryan and mother of Helen Rudd Brown. A Democrat, in 1929 she became Florida’s first woman representative in the United States Congress, coming from Florida’s 4th district. Representative Owen was also the first woman to earn a spot on the...
as an alternate delegate to the United Nations, Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
as the head of the U.S. delegation to the U.N. General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
, and Georgia Neese Clark
Georgia Neese Clark
Georgia Neese Clark Gray was the first woman Treasurer of the United States, serving from 1949 to 1953. No subsequent Treasurer has been a man.-Early life:...
as Treasurer of the United States
Treasurer of the United States
The Treasurer of the United States is an official in the United States Department of the Treasury that was originally charged with the receipt and custody of government funds, though many of these functions have been taken over by different bureaus of the Department of the Treasury...
. At the 1952 Democratic National Convention
1952 Democratic National Convention
The 1952 Democratic National Convention was held at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago, Illinois from July 21 to July 26, 1952, which was the same arena the Republicans had gathered in a few weeks earlier for their national convention...
, her name was included, as a symbolic gesture, in the nominations for vice-president
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
. She was the second woman honored in this way at a major party convention, Lena Springs
Lena Springs
Lena Jones Wade Springs was the first woman placed in nomination for the office of Vice President of the United States, at the 1924 Democratic National Convention....
being the first.
Edwards explained how she increased the number of women in federal positions by saying, "Sometimes I felt like a ghoul. I'd read the obits
Obituary
An obituary is a news article that reports the recent death of a person, typically along with an account of the person's life and information about the upcoming funeral. In large cities and larger newspapers, obituaries are written only for people considered significant...
, and as soon as a man had died, I'd rush over to the White House and suggest a woman to replace him."