Helena Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helena Hill Weed
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Helena, circa 1910-1920
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Helena Hill
August 15, 1875 |
| Died | April 20, 1958 (aged 82) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Vassar College, Montana School of Mines |
Helena Hill (born August 15, 1875 – died April 20, 1958) was an American woman who strongly believed in and fought for women's right to vote. People who do this are called suffragists. She was an important member of the National Woman's Party. Helena was also one of the very first American women to become a geologist, which means she studied the Earth and its rocks.
Helena Hill Weed: A Champion for Rights
Helena Hill was the daughter of Ebenezer J. Hill, a congressman from Connecticut. After she got married, her full name became Helena Hill Weed. She was one of many American suffragists who stood outside the White House to protest. They wanted to show the President and the country that women deserved the right to vote.
Fighting for Women's Vote
On July 4, 1917, Helena became one of the first women to be arrested for protesting. She was carrying a large sign that said, "Governments get their fair power from the people's agreement." This meant that governments should only rule if the people they govern agree to it. She spent three days in prison in Washington, D.C., because of this protest.
She was arrested again in January 1918. This time, it was for clapping in court, and she spent one day in jail. In August of that same year, she was arrested for joining a meeting in Lafayette Square. This meeting was held to support women's right to vote. Her sister, Elsie Hill, even gave a speech there. Helena spent 15 days in jail for participating in this meeting. Her other sister, Clara Hill, was also a suffragist.
Beyond Suffrage: A Pioneer in Science
Besides her important work for women's right to vote, Helena Hill was also a trailblazer in science. She was one of America's first female geologists. She studied at Vassar College and the Montana School of Mines to learn about geology.
Helena was also a founding member of the Women’s National Press Club. This club helped women who worked in journalism. She was also a vice-president of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This group focuses on history and patriotism. Additionally, she was the national secretary of the Haiti-Santo Domingo Independence Society. She even wrote articles for The Nation magazine, supporting independence for Haiti.
