Elizabeth Lancaster Chittick

Background

Chittick, Elizabeth Lancaster was born on November 11, 1908 in Bangor, Pennsylvania, United States. Daughter of George and Flora Mae (Mann) Lancaster.

Education

Student, Columbia University, 1944—1945. Student, New York Institute of Finance, 1950—1951. Student, Hunter College, 1952—1956.

Student, Upper Iowa University, Fayette, 1976.

Career

Chittick was chairman and president of the National Woman"s Party and a leader in the women"s movement and for the Equal Rights Amendment. From 1971 to 1975 she was chairman of the NWP and subsequently served as president from 1975 to 1989. A Republican, Chittick participated in politics helping to convince the 1976 Republican National Convention to reaffirm their support for the Equal Rights Amendment (European Research Area).

The march drew an approximate 5,000 marchers including former suffragists.

During her leadership of the NWP Chittick authored "Answers to Questions About the Equal Rights Amendment" and appeared on television and radio to support the amendment. In 1978 Chittick became the first woman to address the Oklahoma House of Representatives, a state that had not ratified the European Research Area. In 1975, Chittick was a delegate to the International Women"s Year conference in Mexico and, in 1985, the United States. representative to the Commission on the Status of Women at the World Woman"s Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

Chittick also efforts to save the Sewall-Belmont House, which had been the headquarters of the National Woman"s Party since the 1910s, through the movements for women"s suffrage and later legal equality. Sewall-Belmont was subsequently placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is used as an educational facility for women"s equal rights and a gathering place for social events.

Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation and former president of the National Organization for Women credited Chittick with virtually single-handedly saving the landmark.

Chittick was the first woman civilian administrator of the United States. Naval Air Stations in Seattle, Washington and Banana River, Florida, the first woman to be a registered representative of the New York Stock Exchange, and the first female revenue collections officer with the Internal Revenue Service. Chittick died on April 16, 2009 at age 100.

Achievements

• Elizabeth Lancaster Chittick has been listed as a noteworthy advocate by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Member Coalition for Women in International Development, International Women's Year Continuing Committee, 1978-1981, Women's Campaign Fund, Washington, 1975-1980, Women's National Republican Club, New York City, Women Government Relations, Washington. Member United States committee of cooperation to Inter-American Commission of Women, Organization of American States, 1974-1980. Delegate United States World Conference of International Women's Year, Mexico City, 1975.

Member women's history center task force American Revolution Bicentennial Administration, 1973-1976. Member advisory committee United States Center for International Women's Year, 1973-1976. Vice convenor committee on law and status of women International Council of Women.

Chairman United Nations Drive for war orphans and widows, Manila, 1949. Member Greater Washington Society Association Executives, International Council Women (Paris), National Federation Business and Professional Women's Clubs, General Federation Women's Clubs, Women's Press Club (New York City), American Newswomen's Club, National Press Club, Order Eastern Star.

Connections

Father:

George Lancaster

Mother:

Flora Mae (Mann) Lancaster