Alva Vanderbilt was an American socialite and philanthropist born on January 17, 1853. She was a prominent figure in the Gilded Age, known for her marriage to William Henry Vanderbilt, the son of the railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. Alva played a significant role in the development of the Vanderbilt family fortune and was influential in high society. In addition to her social standing, Alva was a strong advocate for women's rights. She was instrumental in the founding of the National Women's Party and worked tirelessly for women's suffrage. Alva Vanderbilt's legacy includes her contributions to both social reform and the arts, particularly through her involvement in the Metropolitan Opera.