Goldsboro in Wayne County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Gertrude Weil

1879-1971

Photographed By Mike Stroud, April 20, 2013

1. Gertrude Weil Marker

Inscription. Advocate for extending voting rights to women, 1920; reformer active in labor, race, Jewish causes. Home was here.

Erected 2001 by North Carolina Office of Archives and History. (Marker Number F-65.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Civil Rights • Women. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 35° 22.933′ N, 77° 59.97′ W. Marker is in Goldsboro, North Carolina, in Wayne County. Marker is on Chestnut Street near James Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Goldsboro NC 27530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. General Baptist State Convention (approx. 0.2 miles away); Foster's Raid (approx. 0.3 miles away); John Lawson (approx. 0.3 miles away); Company E, 119th Infantry, Goldsboro Rifles World War I Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Pentecostal Holiness Church Congregation (approx. 0.3 miles away); Kenneth C. Royall (approx. 0.3 miles away); North Carolina Press Association (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sherman's March (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goldsboro.

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Regarding Gertrude Weil.
Few families in North Carolina match the Weils of Goldsboro for its commitment over several generations to social, civic, religious, and political causes. Herman Weil (1842-1878) left Germany in 1858 for America, living in Baltimore before settling in Wayne County. He served in the Confederate Army prior to opening in 1865 H. Weil & Brothers general store with his siblings Henry (1846-1914) and Solomon (1849-1914). Their company thrived and their interests soon extended to real estate, banking, coal, oil, cotton, ice, and a brickyard. Upon Herman’s death, the family created a park in Goldsboro named for him, the first of many local philanthropic efforts. Brothers Henry and Solomon helped found the Oheb Sholom Congregation in 1883. In 1875 they built identical houses side-by-side, assuring the continuation of a close, cohesive family. Upon their deaths a month apart in 1914, the family established in their honor the Weil Lecture on American Citizenship at UNC.

Gertrude Weil (1879-1971), daughter of Henry, was North Carolina’s best known woman suffrage leader. Educated at Smith College, she returned to Goldsboro and involved herself in associations, becoming a protégé of Sallie Southall Cotten. Weil was a founder and first president of the North Carolina Suffrage League (now League of Women

Gertrude Weil image. Click for full size.

North Carolina Office of Archives & History — Department of Cultural Resources, `

2. Gertrude Weil

Voters). Despite her speaking and prodding, the legislature in 1920 rejected the 19th Amendment (within days Tennessee approved, extending the franchise to women). Miss Weil was a mainstay of practically every private effort connected with social welfare. Like her mother Mina, she advocated child labor legislation and spearheaded Jewish projects (the Weils were active in raising funds for European Jewish relief). In the 1960s Gertrude Weil, in her eighties, took an active role in race issues. In an ironic twist the North Carolina legislature approved the 19th Amendment in May 1971, the same month Miss Weil (who lived in the house built by her father) died. (North Carolina Office of Archives & History — Department of Cultural Resources)

Gertrude Weil Marker (left) and home, as mentioned image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, April 20, 2013

3. Gertrude Weil Marker (left) and home, as mentioned

Gertrude Weil Marker on Chestnut Street at James Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, April 20, 2013

4. Gertrude Weil Marker on Chestnut Street at James Street

Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 630 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 24, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.