Adeline Morrison Swain facts for kids
Adeline Morrison Swain (born in 1820, died in 1899) was an amazing American woman. She was a talented writer, a brave politician, and a strong supporter of women's rights. She worked hard to make things better for everyone. In 2000, she was honored by being added to the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame.
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Her Early Life and Work
Adeline Morrison was born on May 25, 1820, in Bath, New Hampshire. When she was 16, she finished her education and started working as a teacher in Vermont.
In 1846, she married James Swain. They moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, in 1858. In Fort Dodge, Adeline started special classes for young women. These classes taught French, English, music, botany (the study of plants), and art. The very next year, she helped organize Fort Dodge's first meeting to discuss women's suffrage. This was a movement to gain voting rights for women.
Her Home and Contributions
In the early 1870s, Adeline and James built a large Victorian house in Fort Dodge. It was a beautiful home, but it was bigger than they could easily afford. So, they rented out rooms to people who needed a place to stay. They also let others use their house for special events. In 1879, they sold the house. Today, this house is known as the Vincent House. In 1977, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical building.
Adeline also worked with science. She was asked to be a special reporter for the Entomological Commission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 1877, she wrote a report about how grasshoppers were destroying crops. This was a big problem for farmers. Later, she became a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She was the first woman to give a presentation at their big national meeting.
Her Political Journey
Adeline was very active in politics. She was part of the Greenback Party. In 1883, Adeline Swain ran for a big job in Iowa: Superintendent of Public Instruction. This job is in charge of schools. Even though she didn't win, she made history. She was the first woman ever to run for a statewide public office in Iowa. This was a very important step for women in politics.
Adeline Swain passed away on February 3, 1899, in Illinois. She was buried in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Her Lasting Legacy
Adeline Swain's life and work were remembered in many ways. In 1893, she was included in a famous book called A Woman of the Century. After she died, she was honored in a publication called "Annals of Iowa." In 2000, she was officially added to the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame. This honor celebrates women who have made a big difference in Iowa.
See also
In Spanish: Adeline Morrison Swain para niños