Name/Title
Brenda RunyonEntry/Object ID
2012.635Description
Mixed-Media collage about a woman from Tennessee named Brenda Runyon
Brenda Runyan
1868-1929
In 1919, Brenda Runyon of Clarksville became the president of the first woman's bank in the history of the United States, perhaps in the world. The First Woman's Bank of Tennessee, whose three officers and nine directors were all women, was described in the media as being "petticoated from president to janitoress."
Although born in Missouri, Brenda Runyon was "decidedly Southern in thought, manner of speech and ways." During WWI, Brenda had been very active in volunteer work in the community, especially in her role as Chairman (sic) o the Red Cross of Clarksville and Montgomery County. Prior to this, her "chief diversions" had been "social and literary." After the War, Brenda asked a businessman friend of her husband's Sterling Fort, to suggest "something worthwhile to which I could give my time and attention." After thinking about it, he suggested a bank.
At first daunted by the idea, she and Mrs. M. G. Lyle went to Guthrie three days a week to learn the practice of banking. After secretly organizing the finances of the institution (stock was quietly sold one or two shares at a time, so that no men would gain a controlling share in the venture) their bank opened in 1919, and took in deposits totaling $20,058.75 the first day. That day the men were presented with El Sidelo cigars and the women with dahlias. Mrs. Runyon was described in a Woman's Home Journal article in 1920 as "a women of character and poise" who cut a "unique figure" at the convention of the American Banker's Association in St. Louis that year.
Mrs. Runyon was also instrumental in establishing the first hospital in Clarksville, and was the first woman to serve on the local school board. Due to her poor health, the First Woman's Bank merged with First Trust & Savings Bank in June of 1926. The next bank in the United States created by women to serve the needs of women, The First Women's Bank of New York, didn't open until 1975, more than fifty years later
"A Spirit of Independence and self reliance was revealed when it was learned that the First Woman's Bank of Tennessee was organized. Meetings were held and the board of directors signed p before anyone except those directly concerned were aware of the big idea. The surprise was sprung when the announcement was made that the launching of one of the biggest enterprises in the history of the city had been undertaken by women, who had kept the idea a secret until everything was ready to be revealed to the public.
"It was this fact that won us the confidence of many people. They are now assured that we can keep our affairs to ourselves, which proves to them that theirs too, will be taken care of in like manner, when we come to handle them."
- Brenda Runyon, in "Of The First Woman's Bank in the United States," Ladies Home Journal, June, 1920
"War work has convinced men that women can develop into efficient businesswomen; that we can succeed in the big and worthwhile things in life; that we are no longer clinging vines. We, as officials of a women's bank, in the course of our regular banking business, hope to influence women to economize and save their money, We shall try to teach them business methods and encourage them to do things for themselves."
- Brenda Runyon, 1919Artwork Details
Medium
Mixed-Media, CollageCollection
APSU Permanent CollectionMade/Created
Artist
Susan Bryant & Billy RenklDate made
1997