Sofia Reyes de Veyra Residence

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The Sofia Reyes de Veyra Residence was constructed in 1909 and was occupied by Sofia and her husband Jaime Carlos de Veyra from 1917 to 1919. The house was built in a Colonial Revival style with Georgian influences and is located in the Woodley Park Historic District. Its Colonial Revival features include its brickwork, columned porch, wood trim, and front entrance that is surrounded by diamond-paned sidelights and a transom. The house still retains most of its historic integrity and its interior is also mostly unchanged. The house holds historic significance as the only extant property in Washington associated with Sofia Reyes de Veyra (1876-1953), a well-known suffragist from the Philippines

Following the Spanish-American War in 1898 until 1946, the United States occupied the Philippines. Sofia's husband Jaime Carlos de Veyra represented the Philippines in Congress as the non-voting Resident Commissioner from 1917 to 1923, and the couple lived in Washington during this time. Prior to her time in Washington, Sofia founded a training school for nurses and several organizations that were dedicated to serving women and malnourished children. She also started a Women’s Club that advocated for the rights and interests of Filipina women.

During her time in Washington, Sofia used her connections to politicians and diplomats to advocate for women’s suffrage, and she helped her husband fight for Philippine autonomy. She also joined the Red Cross and was given an award signed by President Woodrow Wilson for her work with them.

Sofia published multiple articles that highlighted the role that Filipina women played within society, including as doctors and lawyers. She argued that even without the right to vote, they still had a large impact on society. Sofia and Jaime represented Filipina women at the National American Women Suffrage Association Convention (1917). Sofia also represented the Philippines at the convention of the National Woman’s Party in DC (1921), the Pan-Am Conference of Women in Baltimore, MD (1922), and the Pan-Pacific Convention of Women in Honolulu, HI (1928).

After the couple moved back to the Philippines, Sofia continued her work as a suffragist and advocate for marginalized communities. She helped revolutionize access to healthcare and advocated for proper sanitation efforts. Despite the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, women’s suffrage did not extend to the Philippines. Finally, in 1937, voting rights were extended to Filipina women.

Her contributions to women’s suffrage were recognized in The Women’s Suffrage Movement in Washington, DC: 1848-1973, a historic context study.

DC Inventory: October 24, 2024 
Within Woodley Park Historic District