Alva Belmont Biography

Alva Belmont (January 17, 1853 – January 26, 1933), née Alva Erskine Smith — known as Alva Vanderbilt from 1875 to 1896 — was a prominent multi-millionaire American socialite and a major figure in the women's suffrage movement. Known for having an aristocratic manner that antagonized some people, she was also noted for her energy, intelligence, strong opinions, and willingness to challenge convention. On Equal Pay Day April 12, 2016, President Barack Obama established the Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument in Washington, D.C. to preserve critical American history and honor all of those who fought and continue to fight for gender equality including Alva Belmont and Alice Paul.