Anna Adams Gordon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Anna Adams Gordon
Gordon, c. 1910
Born	July 21, 1853 Boston, Massachusetts, US
Died	June 15, 1931 Castile, New York, US
Resting place	Mount Hope Cemetery, Boston, Massachusetts, US
Alma mater	Mount Holyoke College

Anna Adams Gordon (1853–1931) was an important American leader. She worked to make society better. She was also a songwriter. As the national president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, she played a big role in the Temperance movement. This movement worked to reduce or stop the use of alcohol.

Anna Adams Gordon: A Champion for Change

Early Life and Education

Anna Adams Gordon was born on July 21, 1853. Her birthplace was Boston, Massachusetts. Her parents, James M. and Mary Clarkson Gordon, were Christian abolitionists. This means they worked to end slavery.

When Anna was three, her family moved to Auburndale. She went to Boston High School. She also studied at Lasell Seminary and Mount Holyoke College. She spent a year in San Sebastián, Spain. She was with her sister, Alice Gordon Gulick. Alice had started a school for girls there in 1871.

Leading the Temperance Movement

A group from the temperance movement in 1895. Anna Gordon is at the back left.

In 1877, Anna Gordon met Frances Willard. This meeting happened during a religious gathering. Anna's younger brother had recently passed away. This sad event made her feel closer to her faith.

Anna and Frances became very good friends. Anna played the organ for Frances's meetings. Soon, Anna moved in with Frances. She became Frances's personal secretary. Anna traveled with Frances across the United States, Canada, and Europe. They spent a year in England.

Anna and Frances remained close friends. Frances passed away in 1898. After that, Lillian M. N. Stevens became president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). Anna Gordon became the vice-president. Anna also wrote a book about Frances Willard.

When Lillian Stevens passed away in 1914, Anna Adams Gordon became the president of the WCTU.

Important Work and Achievements

During World War I, Anna Gordon talked with US President Woodrow Wilson. She helped convince him to make rules against making alcoholic drinks. This included stopping the use of food to make alcohol.

In 1919, the temperance movement had a big success. The Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed. This law made it illegal to make, sell, or transport alcohol in the United States. This period was known as Prohibition.

After this success, the WCTU under Anna's leadership focused on other important causes. They worked for citizenship for immigrants. They also supported women's rights in the workplace. And they worked for child protection.

In November 1922, Anna Gordon was chosen as president of the World Women's Temperance Union. She then stepped down from her role as president of the national WCTU.

Anna Adams Gordon passed away on June 15, 1931. She died in Castile, New York.

Her Legacy and Writings

Anna Gordon held many important positions. She was president of the World League Against Alcoholism. She was also vice-president of the National Temperance Council. She worked with many other groups too.

Anna believed it was important to teach children about temperance early. She wrote many books for children. These books included stories, poems, and songs. Her books sold over a million copies. Her temperance songs were very popular. They were translated into many languages.

She was also the editor of Union Signal. This was the WCTU's newspaper. She also edited The Young Crusader. This was the newspaper for the Loyal Temperance Legion. This was the WCTU's group for children.