Politics Archives - Page 55 of 60

Ada Wells

In 1892 Ada Wells, with Professor Alexander Bickerton, founded the Canterbury Women’s Institute, of which she was president for many years. This was one of many offices she was to hold. In 1896 she became the first national secretary of the National Council of Women of New Zealand, and in 1898 she helped to spearhead the campaign for the formation of the Canterbury Children’s Aid Society. In 1899 she became one of the first two women to be elected to the Ashburton and North Canterbury United Charitable Aid Board, serving as a member until 1906 in spite of the antagonism of male members of the board to her presence. In addition to this she was associated with the Prison-gate Mission, an organisation engaged in the rehabilitation of prisoners. She was a member of the National Peace Council of New Zealand and worked with groups providing aid to conscientious objectors during the First World War.

Amelia Best

Millie Best was born in Lower Barrington, Tasmania in 1900. She first became active in public life through the Methodist Young People’s Missionary Movement, and served as a commandant of the Voluntary Aid Detachment Canteen Services during World War II. Best had an arts and crafts business in Launceston but was also active in community organisations, including the Women Show Judges Association, the Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Launceston Girl’s Home, the United Nations Association, Meals on Wheels, the Good Neighbour Council and the National Council of Women. For her services to social welfare she was awarded an MBE in 1956.

Hōjō Masako

Hōjō Masako, known as the “nun shogun”, exercised significant political power in the early years of the Kamakura period (1192 to 1333).

Shirley Temple

Most Americans know Shirley Temple as the adorable child actor with curly hair who graced movie screens from 1935 to 1938. After enjoying a successful career as an entertainer, Temple dedicated herself to public service, working as a politician and ambassador.

Eleanor Roosevelt

A shy, insecure child, Eleanor Roosevelt would grow up to become one of the most important and beloved First Ladies, authors, reformers, and female leaders of the 20th century.

Dolley Madison

Dolley Madison, the fourth First Lady of the United States, is widely remembered as the most lively of the early First Ladies. Despite her Quaker roots, she was outgoing, energetic, fun-loving, and kind. As a prominent entertainer and hostess, she helped shape the role of First Lady and served as the model for every future First Lady to come.

Martha Washington

Martha Dandridge Custis Washington was the first First Lady of the United States. Washington is not only remembered as the nation’s first lady who set an example for her future first ladies, but also as a wife, mother, and property owner. She is an example of strength during the Revolutionary War, and as the first lady of a new nation.

Abigail Adams

Hailed for her now-famous admonition that the Founding Fathers “remember the ladies” in their new laws, Abigail Adams was not only an early advocate for women’s rights, she was a vital confidant and advisor to her husband John Adams, the nation’s second president. She opposed slavery and supported women’s education.

Lady Bird Johnson

Claudia Johnson, known as “Lady Bird,” was an environmentalist, businesswoman, political activist, and First Lady.

Martha Hughes Cannon

Mattie was considered an important witness in prosecuting polygamy. Not only was she in a polygamist marriage herself, but as a doctor, she often delivered the babies of polygamist wives. To the federal government, a baby delivered to a polygamist wife was proof a polygamist marriage. The prosecutors had a warrant out for Mattie to testify. She did not want to be responsible for a man getting arrested, leaving so many children without support. She decided to leave so that she would not have to testify. For the next two years, she and her young daughter Elizabeth moved around in England and the eastern U.S., until the warrant for her had expired.