Lucinda Lee Dalton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lucinda Lee Dalton |
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"Mrs. Dalton" teaching in Ferron; likely Lucinda
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| Personal details | |
| Born | February 9, 1847 Coosa County, Alabama |
| Died | November 24, 1925 (aged 78) Manti, Utah |
| Spouse(s) |
Charles Dalton
(m. 1868; died 1883) |
| Children | 6 |
Lucinda Lee Dalton (born Lucinda Lee; February 9, 1847 – November 24, 1925) was an important teacher and activist in Utah. She believed strongly in equal rights for women and girls. Lucinda shared her ideas through essays and poems. These were published in a magazine called the Women's Exponent, which was for women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Even as a child, Lucinda noticed that boys had more freedom and opportunities than girls. She felt that girls were not getting a good enough education. This made her want to fight for women's rights. She believed women should have the right to vote, get a good education, own property, control their own money, and have custody of their children. As a teacher, she worked hard to make sure girls had the same chances to learn and play as boys. Lucinda and her husband Charles had six children together. Her writings often shared the experiences and challenges of women in her time.
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Lucinda's Early Life
Lucinda Dalton was born in Coosa County, Alabama in 1847. Her parents joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Texas in 1849. Soon after, they traveled to Utah Territory. In 1851, her family moved to California. Seven years later, they moved to Beaver, Utah.
Even though her family was not rich, Lucinda's parents wanted her to learn. They taught her at home and let her go to school as much as possible. Many girls her age stayed home to help with younger children and housework. But Lucinda's family encouraged her to stay in school. Because her family moved a lot, her schooling was not always in one place. One of her teachers in Utah helped her a lot. This teacher tutored Lucinda during lunch and after school. She even started training Lucinda to become a teacher herself.
When Lucinda was 12, her father started a private school. Lucinda helped teach there. By age 16, Lucinda became a teacher for younger children. Around the same time, Lucinda's younger brother became very sick. Lucinda prayed for him. She learned to accept God's will when he passed away.
Family Life and Teaching
Lucinda married Charles Wakeman Dalton in 1868. They had six children together. Sadly, two of their children, Charles and Rosette, passed away when they were very young. Lucinda often wrote about losing her children in her poems.
Charles worked at a store and also transported goods to nearby areas. However, his income was not enough to support his large family. So, Lucinda taught school in several towns, including Manti, Beaver, Payson, Ferron, and Ogden.
Fighting for Women's Rights
Lucinda believed strongly in equal rights for girls and boys. She felt that boys had more freedom. For example, they could travel alone without people judging them. She also noticed that boys were sometimes given special treats to attend school. Girls, on the other hand, were often educated only if it was convenient. One of her teachers even thought it was a waste for Lucinda to study algebra. The teacher believed Lucinda already knew enough to be a housewife.
Lucinda argued that girls and boys should have the same chances to learn and play. She also believed women should be paid fairly for their work. Lucinda encouraged girls to exercise, including swimming and shooting. She felt that women had the right to vote, get an education, own property, control their own money, and have custody of their children. She also believed it was a woman's religious duty to educate herself. She told women to use public resources like libraries and museums. If they didn't have much time, she suggested they learn at Relief Society meetings.
Lucinda compared the fight for women's freedom to the fight against slavery. She said that just as no one should be a slave because of their race, women should not be forced to be less important because of their gender. She taught for sixty years, sharing her energy and passion with her students.
In 1891, Lucinda encouraged other women teachers to ask for a raise. The school board did give the teachers a raise. However, they blamed Lucinda for the request and demanded she pay the extra money from her own salary. When Lucinda refused, they replaced her with a male teacher. Luckily, the city of Payson asked Lucinda to teach at their school, and she moved there happily. Later, she taught in Ogden and Manti. She also served as an officer for the women's suffrage association in Utah. This group worked to get women the right to vote.
Later Life and Legacy
Lucinda Dalton passed away on November 24, 1925, in Manti, Utah. Two of her children survived her. Her funeral was held in Manti, and she was buried in the Manti Cemetery.
Many people admired Lucinda's writings. Edward Tullidge, who lived at the same time as Lucinda, said her writings showed "the true spirit and independence of the Mormon women." He also said her poems were "vigorous and lively." Jill Mulvay, another Latter-day Saint writer, called Lucinda's poems "imaginative" and not overly emotional like many poems of her time.
One review of a book with her poems noted her unique ideas. It mentioned her poem "Woman," where she challenged old ideas about women. Lucinda wrote that women are divine daughters of God. She believed women sought knowledge, which is a "God-like prize." Her writings often showed her hopes, fears, faith, and her belief in equal rights. She used both essays and poems to do important work for women's rights.
Images for kids
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A view of the Manti Cemetery, where Dalton was buried
