RyeGPT People of Note: New York Congresswoman Caroline Love Goodwin O’Day

RyeGPT People of Note is a series highlighting individuals who have a connection to the City of Rye. In the series we ask OpenAI’s ChatGPT to prepare a biography and explain the individual’s connection to Rye.

We welcome your feedback on this series – the use of artificial intelligence, the accuracy and usefulness of each article and your assistance in understanding other pertinent insights related to the person’s connection to Rye.

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Caroline Love Goodwin O’Day (June 22, 1869 – January 4, 1943) was a pioneering American politician and advocate for social justice, best known for her service as a U.S. Representative from New York between 1935 and 1943. She holds the distinction of being the third woman, and the first female Democrat, elected to Congress from New York. 

Early Life and Education

Born on June 22, 1869, in Perry, Georgia, Caroline was the daughter of Sidney Prior Goodwin, a Confederate veteran and businessman, and Elia Warren Goodwin. She graduated from the Lucy Cobb Institute in Athens, Georgia, in 1886, where she studied art and music. Demonstrating a passion for the arts, she pursued further studies in New York City before moving to Europe. There, she studied under the renowned artist James McNeill Whistler and exhibited her work at the Paris Salons of 1899 and 1900. 

Marriage and Family

In 1901, Caroline married Daniel O’Day, an oil businessman and Standard Oil Company executive. The couple settled in Rye, New York, where they raised their three children: Elia, Daniel, and Charles. 

Connection to Rye, New York

Caroline O’Day’s move to Rye marked the beginning of her deep involvement in local affairs. She served as president of the Rye School Board, reflecting her commitment to education and community service. Her residence in Rye became a hub for her burgeoning political and social activism, laying the groundwork for her future roles on state and national stages. In recognition of her contributions, the Rye Post Office was renamed the Caroline O’Day Post Office Building in 2010.

Political and Social Activism

Following her husband’s death in 1916, O’Day’s dedication to social causes intensified. She became active in the women’s suffrage movement and was a vocal advocate for peace, joining the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Her political journey advanced as she took on leadership roles within the Democratic Party, serving as vice chair of the New York State Democratic Committee from 1916 to 1920 and as associate chair from 1923 to 1942.

Congressional Career

In 1934, O’Day secured one of two at-large seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after Eleanor Roosevelt famously backed her nomination. She was re-elected in 1936, 1938, and 1940, serving until January 3, 1943. During her tenure, she chaired the Committee on Election of President, Vice President, and Representatives, becoming the second woman in history to chair a congressional committee. O’Day was a staunch supporter of New Deal legislation, championed labor rights, and co-sponsored the Wagner-O’Day Act of 1938, which provided employment opportunities for the blind.