Mattie Newton Traylor

Mattie Newton Traylor was born and raised in rural Troup County, Georgia in 1888. She graduated with honors from Agnes Scott College in 1909. She returned to Troup County, married L.H. Traylor, and raised a family of three. She was actively involved in her church and her community of LaGrange in which she resided. Prior and after raising her three children, Mattie was always a beloved school teacher at several institutions. She concluded her career teaching literature and social studies at a junior high school in her hometown for seventeen years. Mattie was not only intelligent, but wise, and her calm quiet demeanor set an example for all who knew her. 

Mattie’s granddaughter, Sarajane Love, established the Mattie Newton Traylor Fund in memory of her. Sarajane has been a long time friend and supporter of the Jeannette Rankin Foundation, going back to the 1980s. Sarajane established this fund after being a long-term supporter of JRF. She says, “It’s just a no-brainer. I am so in awe of what our Scholars accomplish with so little. If they don’t deserve our help, no one does. This is truly a compelling organization and mission. When the right circumstances came around I thought, it’s time, let’s do it. So here we are.”