Sara W. Mahan (February 26, 1870 – November 1, 1966) was an American
progressive era social reformer, and early
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to:
*Democratic Party (United States)
Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to:
Active parties Africa
*Botswana Democratic Party
*Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea
*Gabonese Democratic Party
*Demo ...
female politician from Kentucky in the United States. Mahan was one of the founders of the
Democratic Women's Club of Kentucky
Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to:
Politics
*A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people.
*A member of a Democratic Party:
** Democratic Party (United States) (D)
** Democra ...
. She was one of the first women to become a member of the Kentucky Democratic State Central and Executive Committee.
Early life
Sara W. Mahan, daughter of George D. and Katherine Cain (White), was born in
Clay County, Kentucky on February 26, 1870.
Career
In 1907 Mahan began her political career when she managed the campaign headquarters of the Kentucky Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Judge
Samuel Wilber Hager
Samuel Wilber Hager (December 19, 1858 – December 27, 1918) was an American politician who served as the 14th Kentucky State Treasurer from 1900 to 1904, and Kentucky State Auditor from 1904 to 1908. He was the Democratic party's nominee for go ...
. ''The Frankfort Journal'' took note of her work and said, "Miss Mahan displayed remarkable exec. ability and was the first woman to have charge of the successful management of a campaign for the nomination for the chief office of this Commonwealth."
In 1908, Mahan became assistant state librarian and remained in the position until 1920. From 1920 to 1921, she served as
Centre College librarian.
Mahan was Boyle County Circuit Court Clerk from 1921 to 1929. She was
Secretary of State of Kentucky from 1932 to 1936.
Personal life
Mahan was a member of many Women's Clubs and other community organizations, including the Democratic Women's Club of Kentucky, Woman's Club of Frankfort, and the Business and Professional Women's Club.
She never married. Mahan died in
Danville, Kentucky
Danville is a home rule-class city in Boyle County, Kentucky, United States. It is the seat of its county. The population was 17,236 at the 2020 Census. Danville is the principal city of the Danville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes ...
, on November 1, 1966,
and is interred in
Bellevue Cemetery
Bellevue Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Lawrence and Methuen, Massachusetts. Established in 1847 and owned by the city of Lawrence, it is the first and principal cemetery of the city and a notable example of a rural cemetery. In conjunctio ...
.
References
External links
Democratic Women's Club of Kentucky
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahan, Sara W.
Women in Kentucky politics
Politicians from Danville, Kentucky
Secretaries of state of Kentucky
1870 births
1966 deaths
Kentucky Democrats
American librarians
American women librarians
Burials in Bellevue Cemetery (Danville, Kentucky)
Centre College people
American social reformers
People from Clay County, Kentucky