Emma Winner Rogers

Emma Winner Rogers was born in 1855 in Plainfield, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Reverend John Ogden, a Methodist clergyman, and Sarah J. Winner. As a girl, she received a private, college preparatory education at the Pennington Seminary in Newark, New Jersey.

On June 22, 1876, Emma Ferdon Winner married Dr. Henry Wade Rogers. Shortly after their marriage, Emma attended the University of Michigan and received her A.B. in 1877. Henry Wade Rogers was appointed President of Northwestern University in 1890. 

Emma Rogers most notable achievement while in Evanston was her work in establishing the Northwestern University Settlement Association in 1891. The Settlement House grew to be a major social services center, and at times helped upwards of 1,000 individuals a day. Rogers served as the President of its Board for a total of six years, from 1894 to 1900. 

Rogers also played a pivotal role in the founding of the Evanston Historical Society in 1898. Rogers was the only female among the seven founders, and was the first female member on the Board of Directors, serving from 1898 to 1900. 

Later in life Rogers moved back to New Jersey with her husband. During these years, Rogers served as the Treasurer for both the Women’s Bureau of the Democratic National Committee and the National Woman's Suffrage Association from 1914 to 1919. Emma Winner Rogers passed away at the age of 67 on the 3rd of March, 1922, in New York City.