Emma Bailey was the first female auctioneer in the US, and the first female member of the NAA. Currently there is nothing dedicated to her memory in the entire structure of the NAA. This is a request to add Emma Bailey to the NAA Hall of Fame, as well as making her name prominent in the association with other dedications. Women auctioneers need to know that the NAA supports them equally, and since the NAA ignores the existence of the female pioneer who started it all, it is counterproductive to that end.

Today, there is no one involved in the auction profession who remembers her. Her memory lives through her autobiography “Sold to the Lady in the Green Hat” published in 1962. Emma Bailey became the first female member of the NAA three years after the association was founded. Her first auction was May 12, 1950.

This is not about her auction company, or her state association (her state has never had an association anyway), nor about how active she is or was, or her participation in the NAA. This is not about who she worked with, or who she knew, or who can give her good references. 

This is about recognizing a female pioneer in the auction profession. This is about recognizing someone who fought to become an auctioneer in America despite the prejudices and difficulties that she encountered due to gender stereotypes, and discrimination during her time.

This is about getting Emma Bailey recognized for her pioneering spirit while her daughters are still living to see it happen.

This is about supporting gender equality in the auction profession, by showing that we care about women who have worked hard to get us where we are today.

Emma Bailey, America’s First Woman Auctioneer, deserves to be recognized by the association who originally helped her reach her goals, realize her dreams, and become a productive, pioneering member of the auction profession. The association does not credit itself if she is not included our in our list of revered Hall of Fame recipients.