Foy, Mary Emily, 1862-1962

Mary Emily Foy (1862-1962) was the daughter of Samuel Calvert Foy and Lucinda (Pet) Macy Foy, early Los Angeles pioneers. From 1880 to 1894, she served as the third Los Angeles City Librarian, the first woman to hold the position. She is particularly well known for her involvement in the California Woman's Suffrage Movement and her involvement with the Democratic Party. She was Vice President of the Political Equality League, Secretary of the Votes for Women Club, President of the California Woman's Democratic League, and a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1916 and 1920. In 1934, she ran unsuccessfully for Congress in the 15th Congressional District. Foy's interests in history and archaeology lead her to organize the California Parlor of the Native Daughters of the American West, and her involvement with the local chapter of the American Institute for Archaeology, and the Southwest Society. Foy was also founder of First Century Families, descendants of Los Angeles settlers during its first 100 years, and wrote for the Jeffersonian, Woman's Bulletin, and the Los Angles Herald & Express.

Mary Emily Foy (1862-1958), Los Angeles community and education leader, and city librarian from 1880-1884, was a pioneer Los Angeles resident and the daughter of Los Angeles businessman Samuel Calvert Foy (1830-1901). She was a member of Los Angeles cultural and historical organizations such as Ina Coolbrith Circle, First Century Families (descendants of California pioneers), the Women's Democratic League, and the Ladies' Adams Street Women's Investment Company.

Biography / Administrative History

Mary Emily Foy (1862-1962) was the daughter of Samuel Calvert Foy and Lucinda (Pet) Macy Foy, early Los Angeles pioneers. From 1880 to 1894, she served as the third Los Angeles City Librarian, the first woman to hold the position. She is particularly well known for her involvement in the California Woman's Suffrage Movement and her involvement with the Democratic Party. She was Vice President of the Political Equality League, Secretary of the Votes for Women Club, President of the California Woman's Democratic League, and a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1916 and 1920. In 1934, she ran unsuccessfully for Congress in the 15th Congressional District.

Mary Foy's interests in history and archaeology lead her to organize the California Parlor of the Native Daughters of the American West, and to her involvement with the local chapter of the American Institute for Archaeology, and the Southwest Society. Foy was also founder of First Century Families, descendants of Los Angeles settlers during its first 100 years, and wrote for the Jeffersonian, Woman's Bulletin, and the Los Angeles Herald and Express.