Anna Pennybacker (left) with Eleanor Roosevelt and Dr. Harry Estill during a visit to Sam Houston State University in 1937. Image courtesy of Sam Houston State University Archives. Image available on the internet and included in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.
On May 7, 1861, Anna Pennybacker, clubwoman, woman suffrage advocate, author, and lecturer, was born in Petersburg, Virginia. Among her many contributions, she founded one of the first women’s clubs in Texas — the Tyler Women’s club in 1894. She graduated from the first class of Sam Houston Normal School in Huntsville, Texas, and continued her education in Europe. Pennybacker (married in 1884) wrote and published A New History of Texas in 1888, and the textbook was a staple of Texas classrooms for 40 years. She went on to serve as president of the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs from 1901 to 1903, a position in which she raised $3,500 for women’s scholarships at the University of Texas and helped persuade the legislature to fund a women’s dormitory there. After holding important offices in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Pennybacker met Eleanor Roosevelt in 1924. Their 14-year friendship was based on mutual interests in the advancement of women and world peace. Pennybacker died in Austin in 1938. (From Texas State Historical Association)
