When
Miriam Leslie died in 1914, she stipulated in her
will that
Carrie Chapman Catt should be a residual legatee, and receive money to promote and continue her work towards
woman's suffrage. Leslie wanted Catt to decided how best to use the money. The will was contested by Leslie's family. Catt found a lawyer who would take the case on a contingency basis, willing to wait for payment until the case was won. The court awarded Catt $500,000 from Leslie's will in February 1917. Later, jewels belonging to Leslie and appraised at $34,785 were also given to Catt. The commission was headed by Catt and the secretary and treasurer was
Gratia Goller. The commission promoted woman's suffrage by educating the public on this issue; it was affiliated with the
National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). The group also created informational pamphlets for distribution in political races with candidates who opposed women having the vote. After the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was passed, women first voted in a presidential election in 1920. The Leslie Commission worked to support women's suffrage movements in other countries. It also purchased books about the history of women's suffrage and donated them to public libraries in the United States. The commission was dissolved by its board on October 1, 1929. == Notable members ==