Biography
Frances Elizabeth Caroline Willard was an American educator, temperance reformer and women's suffragist.
Willard was born on September 28, 1839, in Churchville, New York. She graduated from Northwest Female College in 1859, then taught school until 1868. She left for a world tour with a friend and returned in 1870 to become the president of the Evanston College for Ladies. Later, she became the dean of women at Northwestern University.
In 1874, Willard became the corresponding secretary of the Chicago Woman`s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). She traveled the world to meet with women and lecture on temperance, women’s suffrage and allied issues. In 1879, she was elected president of the National WCTU and remained president until her death in 1898. She also founded the World WCTU in 1883 and became its president in 1893.
Willard is considered one of the most influential women of her time. She succeeded in raising the age of consent in many states, as well as passing labor reforms including the eight-hour work day. She also advocated for prison reform, scientific temperance instruction, Christian socialism, and the global expansion of women's rights.
Willard died on Feb. 17, 1898.
Speeches
- Address Before The Second Biennial Convention of the World's Woman's Christian Temperance Union - Oct. 1893
- Women's National Council Triennial Meeting Address - February 22, 1891
- A White Life for Two - 1890
- Statement before the U.S. Senate Committee on Woman Suffrage – April 2, 1888
- Temperance and Home Protection - 1876