First Unitarian Church

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Historical marker #2173 in Louisville acknowledges the contributions of the First Unitarian Church toward the civil rights and women's suffrage movements. The First Unitarian Church hosted Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Chapman Catt in January of 1895, during their tour through the South to promote women's suffrage.

The Kentucky tour of the National American Woman's Suffrage Association (NAWSA) organizers, which included Anthony and Catt, was organized by Kentucky suffragist Laura Clay. Anthony asked Clay to outline a two-day itinerary in sixteen different Kentucky cities. Based on Clay's schedule, Anthony and Catt began their Kentucky tour in Lexington before visiting other Kentucky cities including Wilmore, Louisville, Owensboro, and Paducah. It was while visiting Louisville that Anthony and Catt spoke at the First Unitarian Church.

This trip through Kentucky was part of a larger effort to launch the suffragist movement in the southern states. Immediately following their recruiting trip through Kentucky, Anthony, Catt, and Clay headed to Atlanta, Georgia, for the annual NAWSA convention. Southern suffragists looked to Clay in particular for guidance and leadership.

The First Unitarian Church, which is located in the "Old Louisville" historic district, is still active today and is associated with the churches of the Unitarian Universalist Association.