Clara Codd: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Clara Codd 3.JPG|220px|thumb|Clara Codd]]
[[Image:Clara Codd 3.JPG|220px|thumb|Clara Codd]]
'''Clara Codd''' was born in 1876 in England, the oldest of ten daughters. Even as a child, she questioned the meaning of life and felt moved into a search for "something." As a young woman, a strong sense for freedom and justice moved her to work for the enfranchisement of women. Despite a natural shyness, she spoke passionately for women’s rights from street platforms and in crowded halls, enduring heckling, physical abuse, and imprisonment.
'''Clara Codd''' was an English Theosophist known for her work as a feminist, lecturer, teacher, and writer. She served as General Secretary of both the Australian and South African Sections of the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society based in Adyar, Chennai, India]]. During a Theosophical career of nearly 70 years, she traveled to six continents.
 
She joined the Theosophical Society at age 27. In her autobiography, ''So Rich a Life'', Clara states, "I had come home at last after long wandering. I had found the beginning of the way." Three years later Clara was appointed the first national lecturer for the English Section. Later she served as General Secretary (president) of the Australian and South African Sections. Clara Codd’s Theosophical career lasted nearly 70 years, during which time she traveled to virtually every continent.


[[File:Clara Codd - young.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Clara Codd as a young woman]]
[[File:Clara Codd - young.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Clara Codd as a young woman]]
== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Miss Codd was born [[October 10]], 1876 at Barnstaple, Devon, England.<ref>Application to Extend Time of Temporary Stay. US Immigration and Naturalization Service. December 23, 1946. James S. Perkins Papers. Records Series 08.06. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> She was the oldest of ten daughters. Even as a child, she questioned the meaning of life and felt moved into a search for "something."


== Feminist activities ==
== Feminist activities ==
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[[Image:Clara_Codd_2.JPG|180px|thumb|Clara Codd]]
[[Image:Clara_Codd_2.JPG|180px|thumb|Clara Codd]]
[[Image:John Coats and Clara_Codd.JPG|300px|thumb|John Coats and Clara Codd]]
[[Image:John Coats and Clara_Codd.JPG|300px|thumb|John Coats and Clara Codd]]
As a young woman, a strong sense for freedom and justice moved her to work for the enfranchisement of women. Despite a natural shyness, she spoke passionately for women’s rights from street platforms and in crowded halls, enduring heckling, physical abuse, and imprisonment.


== Theosophical lecturer ==
== Theosophical lecturer ==
She joined the Theosophical Society at age 27. In her autobiography, ''So Rich a Life'', Clara states, "I had come home at last after long wandering. I had found the beginning of the way." Three years later Clara was appointed the first national lecturer for the English Section.


== Years in South Africa ==
== Years in South Africa ==
From February 2, 1938 to May 21, 1946, Miss Codd lived in the Union of South Africa, and became a citizen of that country. She served as National President (General Secretary) of the Section, and received a small pension after her term there.<ref>Application to Extend Time of Temporary Stay. US Immigration and Naturalization Service. December 23, 1946. James S. Perkins Papers. Records Series 08.06. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref> In January of 1945, her term ended, she wrote to [[Sidney Cook]] at the [[Theosophical Society in America]]:
<blockquote>
Mr. Kruisheer is a splendid G.S. He is such a good organiser. I shall never be a Gen. Sec. agoin. I do not think that that is the best thing I can do. I am not an administrator. I just fill in a gap. For some time now I have had a pet idea. Tell me if you think it is feasible. I would like to go round the world once more before I pass over and say goodbye to all the dear people I love so well. This Xmas I have heard again from so many in the U.S.A...Could you have me for lecturing for a year? You need not give me any salary as now I am the proud possessor of a pension. And then I could go on to N.Z. and Australia and finally settle somewhere.
<br>
I would like to spend my last days in inspiring and teaching the Masters young workers somewhere.<ref>Letter from Clara Codd to Sidney Cook. January 22, 1945. Sidney A. Cook Papers. Records Series 08.05. Theosophical Society in America Archives.</ref>
</blockquote>


== Years in Australia ==
== Years in Australia ==

Revision as of 20:56, 9 May 2014

ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Clara Codd

Clara Codd was an English Theosophist known for her work as a feminist, lecturer, teacher, and writer. She served as General Secretary of both the Australian and South African Sections of the Theosophical Society based in Adyar, Chennai, India. During a Theosophical career of nearly 70 years, she traveled to six continents.

Clara Codd as a young woman

Early life and education

Miss Codd was born October 10, 1876 at Barnstaple, Devon, England.[1] She was the oldest of ten daughters. Even as a child, she questioned the meaning of life and felt moved into a search for "something."

Feminist activities

Clara Codd
Clara Codd
John Coats and Clara Codd

As a young woman, a strong sense for freedom and justice moved her to work for the enfranchisement of women. Despite a natural shyness, she spoke passionately for women’s rights from street platforms and in crowded halls, enduring heckling, physical abuse, and imprisonment.

Theosophical lecturer

She joined the Theosophical Society at age 27. In her autobiography, So Rich a Life, Clara states, "I had come home at last after long wandering. I had found the beginning of the way." Three years later Clara was appointed the first national lecturer for the English Section.

Years in South Africa

From February 2, 1938 to May 21, 1946, Miss Codd lived in the Union of South Africa, and became a citizen of that country. She served as National President (General Secretary) of the Section, and received a small pension after her term there.[2] In January of 1945, her term ended, she wrote to Sidney Cook at the Theosophical Society in America:

Mr. Kruisheer is a splendid G.S. He is such a good organiser. I shall never be a Gen. Sec. agoin. I do not think that that is the best thing I can do. I am not an administrator. I just fill in a gap. For some time now I have had a pet idea. Tell me if you think it is feasible. I would like to go round the world once more before I pass over and say goodbye to all the dear people I love so well. This Xmas I have heard again from so many in the U.S.A...Could you have me for lecturing for a year? You need not give me any salary as now I am the proud possessor of a pension. And then I could go on to N.Z. and Australia and finally settle somewhere.
I would like to spend my last days in inspiring and teaching the Masters young workers somewhere.[3]


Years in Australia

Later years

Writings

Recordings of lectures

Online resources

Articles

Additional resources

Titles by Clara Codd available at Quest Books

Notes

  1. ↑ Application to Extend Time of Temporary Stay. US Immigration and Naturalization Service. December 23, 1946. James S. Perkins Papers. Records Series 08.06. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
  2. ↑ Application to Extend Time of Temporary Stay. US Immigration and Naturalization Service. December 23, 1946. James S. Perkins Papers. Records Series 08.06. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
  3. ↑ Letter from Clara Codd to Sidney Cook. January 22, 1945. Sidney A. Cook Papers. Records Series 08.05. Theosophical Society in America Archives.
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