Rose Dabney Forbes Papers

Rose Dabney Forbes (ca. 1875-1947) or Rose Dabney Malcolm Forbes as she also frequently signed her name, a resident of Milton, Massachusetts. She was a woman of considerable means and worked in many causes. Although her main interest was peace and international relations, she also gave her time to the fields of food conservation and child welfare. Forbes was chairman of the Massachusetts Branch of the Woman's Peace Party from 1915 to 1920. Under her leadership the Massachusetts branch helped organize a food conservation program during the First World War, a kitchen and a series of stores that prepared and sold the conserved produce. A program for the proper nutrition and health of young children was another interest of the branch under Forbes. When the Woman's Peace Party became the U.S. section of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in 1920, Forbes became a member of the Massachusetts branch's Advisory Council. She was also active in many other organizations, including the Massachusetts Peace Society and the National Council for Prevention of War.

Rose Dabney Forbes was a wealthy woman who gave funds to various peace organizations. She was particularly generous to the National Council for Prevention of War, giving that organization $100,000 between 1921 and 1942.

There were a number of other organizations and causes besides peace in which Forbes showed especial interest. The Boston League of Women voters, the Milton Women's Club, and the Women's National Committee for Law Enforcement were among her concerns.

Correspondents and others in the collection are Jane Addams, Fanny Fern Andrews, Katherine Devereux Blake, James MacDonald, Christina Merriman, and Rosika Schwimmer.