Founded in 1780 by Esther de Berdt Reed, the Ladies’ Association of Philadelphia raised money for the Continental Army through door to door fundraising. The organization raised over $7,000, which was used to clothe soldiers. Although heavily critiqued, the Association was one of the first American examples of organized political action by women.
The family’s papers have ended up at the New York Historical Society. Based on some digitized documents, the records of the Ladies’ Association may be there as well.
To learn more,
Berkin, Carol. Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America’s Independence. New York: Vintage Books, 2005.
Beatty, Jacqueline.” Ladies Association of Philadelphia.” Philadelphia Encyclopedia. https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org/essays/ladies-association-of-philadelphia/.
“Esther de Berdt Reed.” American Battlefield Trust. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/esther-de-berdt-reed.