The Friends of Susan B. Anthony is a non-profit organization that is concerned about the full enfranchisement of women, minorities, and equal rights for all citizens.

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The Friends of Susan B. Anthony began in 1968 as an informal February 15 birthday party luncheon organized by Beth Daane (pronounced DAY-nee), Director of the Gainesville Public Library, and held in the dining room of what at that time was the Thomas Hotel. In attendance besides Ms. Daane were Katie Dunn, Thelma Ford, Charlotte Yates, Paola Langford, Lily Carter, Florence Dunlap and possibly Annette Yoho, all librarians at the public library. After Ms. Daane’s death, Charlotte Yates, her friend and the public relations officer at the public library, continued the custom. It became an annual informal event that was held variously at restaurants or private homes. As the years went by other interested friends wanted to attend, too. It was not until 1989 that recognition was given to a local woman who exemplified some of the qualities of Susan B. Anthony, that is, concern for full enfranchisement of women and minorities and equal rights for all citizens. It was the brainchild of Sheila Buros and Doris Bardon to surprise Charlotte with the honor. There are no membership cards or dues to be a Friend – just RSVP to the lunch invitation and you can consider yourself a Friend. We operate only on donations, in-kind or cash.

The group of Friends has no elected officers; it has never “formally” organized. However, the die-hard friends of Susan B. want to continue to acknowledge and remember this remarkable woman, her colleagues and the spirit of their time. We have chosen what has come to be known as Women’s Equality Day, the anniversary of the 19th Amendment (woman suffrage), August 26, to do that. May we never forget their sacrifices, hard work and persistence. “The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”