“G” is for Gridley, Mary Putnam (1850-1939)

“G” is for Gridley, Mary Putnam (1850-1939). Civic leader, businesswoman. Born in Boston, Mary Putnam moved to Greenville where her father was active in the development of cotton mills. In 1876 she married Isaac Gridley, but after his death, Mary Gridley went to work for her father at Batesville Mill. Following his death, she assumed the position of mill president. In 1889 Gridley was co-founder of the Thursday Study Club. Under her leadership it became one of the charter members of the South Carolina Federation of Women’s clubs. In 1915 Gridley helped spearhead the organization of the Hopewell Tuberculosis Association to provide health services for Greenville’s TB victims. In her role as clubwoman, civic leader, and business executive Mary Putnam Gridley represented the desire of South Carolina women to participate in the discourse and decision making on public issues.