Emilie Solomon (1859–1939) was a British [1] supporter of women's suffrage [2] and president of the Cape Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU; 1919–1925) and was vice-president of the World WCTU (1925–1931). [3] She was also involved in the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) and the Salvation Army. [1] She was the first female chair of the Congregational Union, elected in 1937. [4]
She was born in the town of Bedford, Cape Colony (modern-day South Africa) in 1858. [5] Her father was Edward Solomon, a reverend of the Free Church in Southern Africa who worked for the London Missionary Society. [5] [6] Despite this, the Solomons have been described as "of the Jewish faith by descent, tradition and observance". [7] She was the youngest of eight children; [5] her three brothers were Edward Philip Solomon, Richard Solomon, and another who was Chief Justice of the Union of South Africa. [6] Her mother was Jessie née Matthews, and her uncle was the politician Saul Solomon. [8]
Emilie Solomon (1859–1939) was a British [1] supporter of women's suffrage [2] and president of the Cape Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU; 1919–1925) and was vice-president of the World WCTU (1925–1931). [3] She was also involved in the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) and the Salvation Army. [1] She was the first female chair of the Congregational Union, elected in 1937. [4]
She was born in the town of Bedford, Cape Colony (modern-day South Africa) in 1858. [5] Her father was Edward Solomon, a reverend of the Free Church in Southern Africa who worked for the London Missionary Society. [5] [6] Despite this, the Solomons have been described as "of the Jewish faith by descent, tradition and observance". [7] She was the youngest of eight children; [5] her three brothers were Edward Philip Solomon, Richard Solomon, and another who was Chief Justice of the Union of South Africa. [6] Her mother was Jessie née Matthews, and her uncle was the politician Saul Solomon. [8]