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Title
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Willard, Frances (1839-1898)
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birthday
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1839-09-28
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Birthplace
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Churchville, NY
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Death Date
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1898-02-17
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Occupation
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Educator
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Temperance activist
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Woman suffrage activist
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Biographical Text
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Frances Willard was an educator, temperance activist, and woman suffrage activist. Willard was born in Churchville, NY before moving with her family to Janesville, WI. There her family, once Congregationalists became Methodists. Willard attended Milwaukee Normal Institute, followed by the North Western Female College in IL. Upon graduating, Willard began working in education. She started as a teacher at the Pittsburgh Female College and later went on to become the first Dean of Women at the Woman's College of Northwestern University, in 1873. This was a short-lived position, as Willard resigned in 1874, following a confrontation with University President Charles Fowler. This brought about a new era in Willard's life, focused on the women's temperance movement. In 1874 she became the first Corresponding Secretary of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and in 1876 she became head of the WCTU Publications Department, garnering an audience for their weekly newspaper, The Union Signal. In 1879 she became president of the WCTU, holding the position until her passing. Willard was also a strong advocate for women's suffrage, encouraging other women to join the movement. In 1888 Willard became involved in the found of two organizations; the National Council of Women of the United States and the World WCTU. She served as president for both at different points during the 1890s. During this decade, Willard faced scrutiny from Ida B. Wells for her temperance reform work. Well's found it to encourage racism through her silence on topics, particularly lynching. Willard responded by stating her focus was on the empowerment of all races of women, though she never did actively speak out against lynching.
Willard never married, but was said to have a lifelong companion in her personal secretary, Anna Gordon. Willard passed on February 17, 1898, at the age of fifty-eight after contracting influenza. She is buried at Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago, IL.
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Contributor
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O'Neill, Iris
Frances Willard, House Museum and Signage
Frances Willard, Statue
Frances Willard, Plaque
Francis Willard, Portrait Bust