Caroline Love Goodwin O'Day

Caroline Love Goodwin O'Day (June 22, 1869 – January 4, 1943) was an American politician. She was the third woman, and first woman Democrat, elected to Congress from New York.

Caroline O'Day
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's at-large district
In office
January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1943
Seat 2
Preceded byElmer Studley
Succeeded byWinifred Stanley
Personal details
Born
Caroline Love Goodwin

(1869-06-22)June 22, 1869
Perry, Georgia, U.S.
DiedJanuary 4, 1943(1943-01-04) (aged 73)
Rye, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Daniel O'Day

Life

Caroline Goodwin (or Carrie as she was known to her family) was born June 22, 1869. She was the daughter and first child of Sidney Prior Goodwin, a descendant of Ozias Goodwin who emigrated to Massachusetts from England in 1639; and Mary Elia Warren. Her father was a planter residing in Savannah, Georgia, who served in the Oglethorpe Light Infantry of the Confederate States Army. He surrendered and was paroled in April 1865. (Goodwin James J., The Goodwins of Hartford, Connecticut, Brown & Gross 1891, page 668).

Caroline graduated from Lucy Cobb Institute in Athens, Georgia. She studied art in Paris, Munich, and Holland. On April 20, 1901, she married Daniel O'Day, who served as secretary and treasurer of Standard Oil Company.

She was President of the Rye School Board. She was a commissioner of the State Board of Social Welfare from 1923 to 1934.

She was vice chairwoman of the New York State Democratic Committee from 1916 to 1920, and Associate Chairwoman from 1923 to 1942. She was a delegate to the 1924, 1928, 1932 and 1936 Democratic National Conventions.

In 1934, 1936, 1938 and 1940, O'Day was elected at-large as a Democrat to the 74th, 75th, 76th and 77th United States Congresses, holding office from January 3, 1935, to January 3, 1943. While in the House, she was Chairwoman of the Committee on Election of President, Vice President, and Representatives (75th through 77th Congresses). Among the legislation she sponsored or co-sponsored was the Wagner-O'Day Act, the predecessor to the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act.

She was buried at the Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York.

Legacy

The United States Post Office – Rye was renamed the Caroline O'Day Post Office on October 23, 2010, in recognition of her public service.[1][2]

See also

References
  1. "The U.S. Postal Service to Dedicate the Rye Post Office in Honor of Caroline O'Day". Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  2. "Senate Passes Lowey Bill Renaming Rye Post Office". 5 August 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Elmer Studley		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's At-large congressional district
Seat 2 |years=1935–1943}}		 Succeeded by
Winifred Stanley
Preceded by
Thomas Fletcher		 Chairperson of the House Elections Committee
1937–1943		 Succeeded by
Eugene Worley
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