Historical Society Uncovers the History of Suffragist Josephine Valentine Winslow

Josphine Valentine Winslow: Photo Source: The Newsom FamilyLeslie Chang, a Trustee of the Scarsdale Historical Society is in the midst of researching a series called Women Rising: The Scarsdale Suffragists. She agreed to share this fascinating story of Josephine Valentine Winslow.

According to Chang, Josephine, aka Mrs. Willard Winslow was the daughter of a New York City merchant and woolen manufacturer. She moved to Scarsdale in 1903 with her husband Willard, a lumber importer and wholesaler. In 1905, they had their daughter Julia Valentine Winslow (Newsom). Robert and his brother Jon are her sons.

In comparison to her dear friend and suffrage leader Florence Bethel who thrived in the spotlight, Josephine was the business backbone of many of Scarsdale’s early enterprises. For example, most of the actual handwritten notes in the Scarsdale Equal Suffrage Club minutes book are in Josephine’s meticulous script. She was also a charter member of the Scarsdale Woman’s Club, one of first female commissioners of the Westchester County Park Commission, the purchasing agent of supplies for Westchester County Government during WWI, office manager of the Scarsdale Community Farm during WWI, a trustee of the Scarsdale School District (1919-1922) and the Secretary of the Supreme Council of the Girl Scouts of Westchester County.

Chang then sought to find some photos of Josephine and figured out the names of her living relatives, one who was a professor with a published email address. Within three hours of emailing Robert W. Newsom at University of California, Irvine, Chang received an album of jaw-dropping photos.

Chang says, “After reading about her tireless civic work in early Scarsdale, it was a thrill to see Josphine’s face for the first time. The younger photos pre-date her time in Scarsdale, but they are a stunning visual record of her life.”Josephine with Daughter Julia Winslow and Mother-Law Elizabeth Ryers Winslow, Date 1910. Like taken in Scarsdale. Photo Source: The Newsom Family.

Sadly, Josephine passed away suddenly of pneumonia at 55. Florence Bethell was quoted in the newspaper as saying, “Much of all the glory that is ours in Scarsdale is due to her quiet, modest, self-effacing work.” Thirty-one crabapple trees at the Scarsdale Woman’s Club were planted in memory of her untimely death. We hear that some are still thriving on the club grounds by Drake Road and will watch for them to blossom this spring.

Here are just a few of the photos Chang located. See more on the Scarsdale Historical Society website here:

(Republished with permission from the Scarsdale Historical Society)

Winslow House on School Lane: Photo Source: The Winslow Family