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Tuesday, March 12, 2002

Bessie Bramble was the pen name of Elizabeth Wade, who spent some 40 years as a journalist, suffragette, social worker and critic. She was among those women who championed women's rights, civil equality and a new era for freedom for women in America.

Wade was born in England, and her family immigrated to America in 1835. She was educated in Pittsburgh in education and music and began a career as a teacher. She married Charles Wade in 1864.

Elizabeth Wade's career as a journalist began when she started writing anonymous music reviews for various Pittsburgh newspapers. Her later writing efforts were under her pen name and were characterized by sharp comments and, when applicable, her praise. Her true identity became a source of public curiosity as her aggressive literary style offended the Victorian morality of the period and was looked upon as somewhat radical by the male readers. Had her employers known her identity, her position as a schoolteacher likely would have been threatened.

Wade also was active in other areas. She founded the Women's Club of Pittsburgh and taught music. On one occasion, she delivered an address at the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania on the subject "A Reform Needed in History." It focused on the theme that throughout history, women had been treated unfairly.

When Wade's identity was revealed, it was learned she was a friend of Jane Swisshelm and Susan B. Anthony. Saddened by the death of her daughter, her writing in later years covered historical subjects and anti-slavery issues. She died in 1910.

-- By Dr. E. Kenneth Vey, History Center Library and Archives volunteer