Brief biographies of the figurines on display in ... - University Library

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FRANCES ELIZABETH WILLARD
Frances Elizabeth Willard was born at Churchville,
New York, September 28, 1839. She graduated from <strong>the</strong>
Northwestern Female College at Evanston, Illinois, in
1859, and in 1862 accepted <strong>the</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essorship <strong>of</strong> Natural
Sciences in that institution. During 1866-67 she was <strong>the</strong>
principal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Genessee Wesleyan Seminary. The next
two years she devoted to travel and study abroad. From
1871 to 1874 she was Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Aes<strong>the</strong>tics in <strong>the</strong> Northwestern
University, and Dean <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Woman's College.
In 1874 she abandoned her pr<strong>of</strong>ession to identify herself
with <strong>the</strong> Woman's Christian Temperance Union. For
five years she was corresponding secretary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> national
body, and from 1879, its president. While secretary she
organized <strong>the</strong> Home Protective Association, and prepared
a petition to <strong>the</strong> Illinois Legislature to which
nearly 200,000 names were attached, asking for <strong>the</strong> granting
to women <strong>the</strong> right to vote on <strong>the</strong> license question.
In 1882 Miss Willard was elected as a member <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> executive committee <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> National Prohibition
party. In 1886 she became leader <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> White Cross
Movement for <strong>the</strong> protection <strong>of</strong> women, and succeeded
in securing favorable legislation in twelve states. In
1883 she founded <strong>the</strong> World's Christian Temperance
Union, and in 1888 was chosen its president, and also
president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> International Council <strong>of</strong> Women.
The latter years <strong>of</strong> her life were spent chiefly abroad,
investigating <strong>the</strong> condition <strong>of</strong> women in <strong>the</strong> Orient. Miss
Willard was a highly valued contributor to <strong>the</strong> magazines,
and published several volumes, including "Nineteen
Beautiful Years" (a tribute to her sister).
Miss Willard died February 18, 1898, in New York
City.