History Remembers Francie Pepper

Frances (“Francie”) Garber Pepper, a generous supporter of the History Department, passed away after a prolonged struggle with breast cancer in Spring 2025. A descendant of one of the original participants at the historic women’s rights convention at Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848, Francie carried on the family legacy of feminist activism as a tireless advocate for women’s welfare and progressive politics. In March 2025, Women Helping Women named its Survivor Equity Fund in her honor. The Francie Garber Pepper Survivor Equity Fund provides rapid emergency assistance to survivors of gender-based violence. Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and her son, David Pepper, were among the many who paid tribute to her important work.