Banks, Anna B. Simms
(born: 1862 - died: February 1, 1923)Anna B. Simms Banks was a school teacher in Louisville and later lived in Winchester, KY. In 1920, when women voted in the presidential election for the first time, it was reported that Banks was the first African American female fully-credited delegate at the 7th Congressional District Republican Convention (KY). Part of the delegation from Clark County, Banks was appointed a member of the Rules Committee. According to author Rosalyn Terborg-Penn, Banks' political position was a first for African American women in the South because in Kentucky there was not the fear of a voter takeover by African American women. Anna Simms Banks was also a member of the State Federation of Negro Women's Club. Anna Simms Banks was born near or in Louisville, KY, the daughter of Isabella and Marcus or Marquis Simms who was a barber [source: 1870 and 1880 U.S. Federal Census]. She was the wife of William Webb Banks. The Annie S. Banks Auxiliary of the Clark County Hospital was named in her honor.
Anna B. Simms Banks and her husband, W. Webb Banks were both sick with influenza when Anna died of pneumonia on February 1, 1923 in Winchester, KY.
For more see "Negro woman delegate pledges aid to G. O. P.," The Lexington Herald, 03/03/1920, p.5; "Kentucky Woman in Political Arena," Cleveland Advocate, 03/20/1920, p. 1; African American Women in the Struggle for the Vote, 1850-1920, by R. Terborg-Penn [picture on page 149]; "To Members Composing ...," The Lexington Leader, 11/12/1920, p.2; "Anna Banks," The Lexington Leader, 02/03/1923, p.8; see Anna C. "Annie" Simms Banks at Find a Grave; "Winchester Colored Notes," The Lexington Herald, 10/27/1935, Section 4, p.7.