Francis Willard

Francis Willard (1839-1898) was an influential American educator, reformer, and suffragist known for her role in the women's temperance movement. As the president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), she advocated for the prohibition of alcohol, believing it was harmful to society and families. Willard also pushed for women's rights, including the right to vote, connecting temperance with broader social reforms. Her efforts helped to raise awareness about alcohol's effects and contributed to the eventual passage of the 18th Amendment in the U.S. Constitution, establishing Prohibition in 1920. Willard’s legacy continues to impact social reform movements today.