• Source: Belle de Rivera

      • Belle de Rivera (née, Camblos; March 15, 1848 – March 30, 1943) was an American clubwoman and a leader in the woman's club movement. She was a co-founder of 26 women's organizations between 1890 and 1915, including the New York City Federation of Women's Clubs, subsequently becoming its first president. Rivera was also an active suffragist, serving as president of the New York Equal Suffrage League.


      Early life and education


      Belle Camblos was born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 15, 1848, of French and Scottish ancestry. Her parents were Henry S. and Isabel (Patton) Camblos. Her father served for three years in the Civil War; and upon his return from the army, the family moved from Philadelphia to New York City, where Rivera lived until 1912.
      She was educated at the Emma Willard School, in Troy, New York, graduating in 1865.


      Career


      In 1896, Rivera was an inspector of mercantile establishments.
      Rivera was instrumental in organizing the New York City Federation of Women's Clubs and subsequently became honorary President for life of the Federation. The General and State Federations had already been organized, but there was no Federation of the Women's Clubs in New York City until Rivera undertook the task of consolidating them. She was the first President of the new local Federation and served for two terms of two years each. It was in recognition of her services that the Federation created the title of Founder for her and made her honorary President for life.
      Rivera was also interested in the women's suffrage movement. For seven years, she served as president of the New York Equal Suffrage League. Representing New York, in 1904, Rivera attended the 36th Annual Convention of the National-American Woman Suffrage Association, held in Washington, D.C., February 11–17.
      She was also interested in movements for the improvement of the condition of the working girls. She assisted in the establishment of the working girls' hotel on West 22nd Street, New York City, and was President of the board of directors for seven years after its foundation.
      Rivera was a Director of the Daughters of Pennsylvania, an honorary member of the Government Club, Le Lyceum, and the Minerva Club, President of the New York Theatre Club, and a member of the Society for Political Study, the Current Events Club, Post Parliament, (N. Y.), Society of New York State Women, and of the Emma Willard Association.

      In 1912, Rivera purchased property at Mountain Lakes to make her home in New Jersey. There she organized and was the first President of the Women's Club of Mountain Lakes.


      Personal life and legacy


      At New York City, on February 7, 1877, she married John de Rivera. They had one child, a daughter, Henriette, who married Henry Loney, of New York.
      Belle de Rivera died on March 30, 1943, at Mountain Lakes, New Jersey.
      A tree in the New York City Federation of Women's Club's groves in Central Park was planted in Rivera's honor.


      Selected works


      "How Women Can Halt the Great Black Plague", Pearson's Magazine, 1910


      References

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