Cambridge Political Equality Association, 1896-1920

The Cambridge Political Equality Association was founded in 1896 "to extend study and discussion with a view to securing political equality for American citizens." Although the main focus was suffrage for women, CPEA also studied African-American suffrage and proportional representation.

In addition to sponsoring meetings and lectures, after 1900 CPEA helped organize suffrage rallies and parades, and raised money for woman suffrage through bazaars and rummage sales. In 1901, CPEA affiliated with the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association. It also worked with the Cambridge Woman Suffrage Party and other organizations (probably including the Cambridge Public School Association), encouraging women to register and to vote in school committee elections. CPEA later became part of MWSA and was probably the forerunner of the Cambridge League of Women Voters.