Miller, Emma Guffey (1874–1970)

American feminist and Democratic party official. Name variations: Mary Emma Guffey, Emma Guffey, Emma Miller. Born Mary Emma Guffey on July 6, 1874, at Guffey Station, Westmoreland Co., PA; died Feb 23, 1970, in Grove City, PA; dau. of John Guffey (oil, gas, and coal businessman) and Barbaretta (Hough) Guffey; sister of Joseph Guffey (US senator); Bryn Mawr College, AB (1899); m. Carroll Miller (engineer, business executive, and government official), Oct 28, 1902 (died 1949); children: William Gardner III (b. 1905), twins John and Carroll, Jr. (b. 1908), and Joseph (b. 1912).

Strong supporter of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman, who also worked for suffrage movement, helped organize Democratic women's clubs into Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women (1920s); was a member of state executive board of League of Women Voters (1921–25) but resigned, objecting to nonpartisanship; joined Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform (1929), serving on advisory council until 1933; elected delegate from ward to Democratic National Convention (1924); resigned from Daughters of the American Revolution to protest group's militarism (1930); held seat as Democratic National Committeewoman from PA (1932–1970); worked with Democratic National Committee in Washington, DC, but had disagreement with Eleanor Roosevelt over style of leadership of Women's Division (late 1930s); was advocate of Equal Rights Amendment, testifying before Senate Judiciary Committee (1938), and persuading Democratic Party to include amendment in party platform (1944); worked with National Woman's Party (1940s–50s), serving as chair (1960–65) and as life president (1965–70).