Elsie Lincoln Benedict facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elsie Lincoln (Vandergrift) Benedict
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| Born | November 2, 1885 |
| Died | February 5, 1970 (aged 84) |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery (Glendale)[1] |
| Known for | Founding the International Opportunity League, Benedict School of Opportunity, organizer for National American Woman Suffrage Association |
| Spouse(s) | Ralph Paine Benedict (died 1941) |
| Children | Anthony ("Elson") Gorman Benedict (died 1987), |
| Parent(s) | William Vandergrift Adella (Allen) Vandergrift |
Elsie Lincoln Benedict (1885–1970) was a very famous speaker in the 1920s. She talked to over 3 million people during her lifetime. She wrote about ideas that many well-known authors would later share.
Elsie was a leader in the suffragist movement. This movement worked to get women the right to vote. She helped lead the national effort for women's voting rights. Elsie also taught about the "Law of Attraction." This idea suggests that positive thoughts can bring positive results. She also started "Brainology," a popular course about training your mind.
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Elsie's Early Life and Learning
Elsie Lincoln Benedict was born on November 1, 1885. Her hometown was Osborne, Kansas. Her parents were William and Adella Vandergrift.
She studied at several universities. These included Denver University and Columbia University. She also went to Radcliffe College. Elsie focused on psychology and anthropology.
During her college years, Elsie was an amazing speaker. She won over 12 gold medals for her speeches. She was also the first woman to join an intercollegiate debate team. This was a big achievement at the time.
Elsie's Career and Achievements
In 1909, Elsie got an important job. The Governor of Colorado, John F. Shafroth, made her the official reporter for the Colorado Senate. She worked there for three years.
After that, she became the Chief of Advertising for the State Land Office. In 1913, she started working as a political editor. She wrote for the Denver Press and later the Denver Post. The Denver Post was the biggest newspaper in Colorado.
On November 1, 1914, Elsie married Ralph Paine Benedict. He was a Harvard graduate. Judge Ben B. Lindsey, a well-known judge, spoke highly of Elsie. He said she was one of Denver's "real genuine women." He noted she always stood for what was right and fair.
A Powerful Voice for Women
Elsie was a very important voice for women's rights. Carrie Chapman Catt, another suffrage leader, praised Elsie. She called Elsie the most capable organizer and speaker.
On July 4, 1917, Elsie gave a powerful speech. She spoke to 15,000 people in Rochester, New York. Her speech was so effective that she received a huge cheer.
Elsie's lectures attracted large crowds. She talked about many topics. These included choosing colors for clothes and succeeding in marriage or business. In 1922, she shared a wise thought. She said people often spend less time choosing a life partner than a car. She believed understanding was as important as love.
Traveling the World
Elsie led the Benedict School of Opportunity. It was called "The Traveling University." She also started the International Opportunity League. Elsie traveled to 55 countries during her life.
Her book, "Our Trip Around the World," was a very detailed travel book. She kept many postcards and scrapbooks from her journeys.
In 1922, Elsie became a millionaire before she turned 30. She built a beautiful cobblestone cottage. It was in Carmel Highlands, California. This home had amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. It was a quiet place for her and Ralph to write.
Family Life
In 1932, Elsie and Ralph adopted a son. They named him Anthony Gorman. Elsie later renamed him Elson, which meant "Elsie's son." They adopted him while lecturing in Sydney, Australia.
When Elson was 15, he was accepted into the California State Institute of Technology. This was very impressive for his age. He later worked at Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. There, he helped develop the first "Squib" for NASA. He even wrote letters to Albert Einstein!
Elson later joined the Royal Australian Air Force. He flew in Libya after World War II. He eventually returned to the United States. He raised a family with two daughters and one son.
Elsie's Later Years
Elsie's husband, Ralph Benedict, passed away in 1941. After this, Elsie retired from public speaking. She spent her later years traveling and visiting family.
Elsie died in San Francisco, California, on February 15, 1970. She is buried with her husband in Glendale, California. A book called "The Book of Life" was dedicated to Elsie and Ralph's ideas.
In 2004, Elsie was honored in her hometown. She was inducted into the Osborne, Kansas County Hall of Fame. Her family later found her old travel scrapbooks and journals. They bought them back on eBay. This seemed to prove Elsie's belief: "There are no accidents. Everything that happens... is brought about by the operation of law."
Today, her family is republishing her works. A scholarship was also created in her name. The Elsie Lincoln Vandergrift Memorial Scholarship helps psychology students at the University of Denver.
Elsie's Books
Elsie Benedict wrote many books on her own:
- Practical Psychology (1920)
- Famous Lovers (1927)
- The Spell of the South Seas (1930)
- Inspirational Poems (1931)
- Stimulating Stories (1931)
- Benedictines (1931)
- So This Is Australia (1932)
- Spain Before It Happened (1937)
Books with Ralph Benedict
Elsie also wrote several books with her husband, Ralph Benedict:
- How to Analyze People on Sight – The Five Human Types (1921)
- The Development of Personality (1922)
- Unlocking the Subconscious (1922)
- How To Get Anything You Want (1923)
- Scientific Mind Training (1925)
- How to Make More Money (1925)
- Child Training (1926)
- Our Trip Around the World (1926)
- Public Speaking (1927)
- Brainology: Understanding, Developing and Training Your Brain (1928)
What People Said About Elsie
Many people praised Elsie Lincoln Benedict's work:
- "Elsie Lincoln Benedict has a brilliant record. Her ideas are as stimulating as the health-giving breezes of the Rockies." – New York Evening Mail, 1914.
- "Elsie Lincoln Benedict is known nationally... Her work is based upon the practical methods of modern science..." – San Francisco Bulletin, 1919.
- "Several hundred people were turned away... where Elsie Lincoln Benedict, famous human analyst, spoke on How to Analyze People on Sight." – Seattle Times, 1920.
- "Over fifty thousand people heard Elsie Lincoln Benedict at the City Auditorium during her six weeks lecture engagement in Milwaukee." – Milwaukee Leader, 2021.
- "The Wonder Woman, because she actually MAKES OVER THE LIVES of those who follow her wonderful, powerful teachings." – Oakland Tribune, 1923.
- "Elsie Lincoln Benedict... has addressed more people as a lecturer than anyone on the American platform, with the exception of Billy Sunday." – San Francisco Chronicle, 1925.
- "Over three million people in all parts of the globe have heard this human, helpful woman." – Milwaukee Journal, 1926.
Images for kids
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