History between Belva and Gracie 1883 - 1925

Linda Jenness and Evelyn Reed

Linda Jenness ran against Richard Nixon in 1972. She and Evelyn Reed were the first, and maybe only candidates to tag team in a presidential election.

Charlene Mitchell

Born in 1930, Charlene Alexander Mitchell seemed to emerge from the womb as a force to be reckoned with. Although she already had two strikes against her – being born a girl and a black girl at that – she stood her ground when her rights were challenged

Mary Kennery, Ellen Linea W. Jensen, and Agnes Waters

A Seattle grandmother formed the Washington Peace party, with the avowed intention of putting a woman in the White House. Ellen Jensen was Presidential Candidate in 1952.

Gracie Allen

In May of 1940, the Surprise Party held its own convention. Of course, all 8000 “delegates” in attendance voted in the Gracie Allen ticket. As time went on, the country embraced the idea. “Vote for Gracie” buttons appeared everywhere. Even Harvard students pledged their support.

History between Belva and Gracie 1883 - 1925

It has been a little over a half a century between when Belva Ann Lockwood ran for president in 1884 and 1888 and it was 1940 when Gracie Allen took the same path.   A lot can happen in fifty years; here are some of the most interesting events.