Frances Cleveland Axtell facts for kids
Frances Sevilla Cleveland Axtell was a very important woman in American history. She was born on June 12, 1866, and lived until May 27, 1953. Frances Axtell was one of the first women to be elected to a state government. She became a representative in the Washington House of Representatives in 1912. This was a big step for women in politics!
Growing Up
Frances Cleveland was born on June 12, 1866. Her parents were William and Mary Cleveland. She grew up in Sterling, Illinois. Her father worked as a farmer and raised animals.
Family Life and Education
Frances Cleveland married Dr. William Axtell on June 11, 1891. They had two daughters. Their names were Ruth and Helen Frances.
Frances Axtell studied at DePauw University. She earned a special degree called a PhD there. She was also part of a group called Kappa Alpha Theta. Later, she moved to Bellingham, Washington.
A Career in Politics
In 1912, Frances Axtell ran for office. She was part of the Republican Party. She was elected to the Washington House of Representatives. She represented the city of Bellingham.
Frances Axtell worked hard for many important changes.
- She wanted a minimum wage. This means a lowest amount of money workers could be paid.
- She fought to stop child labor. This meant children should not work in factories.
- She supported workers' compensation. This helps workers who get hurt on the job.
- She also wanted pensions for older people. These are payments for people who are retired.
- She helped change some criminal laws.
In 1916, she almost became a U.S. Senator. She lost by only about three thousand votes. Her efforts caught the eye of President Woodrow Wilson. On January 5, 1917, President Wilson chose her for a special job. She joined the Federal Employees' Compensation Commission.
Later Life
Frances Axtell passed away on May 27, 1953. She died in Seattle.
