Roberta Lawson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roberta Lawson
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| Born |
Roberta E. Campbell
October 30, 1878 Alluwe, Indian Territory in Nowata County
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| Died | December 31, 1940 (aged 62) Tulsa, Oklahoma
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Women's Advocate, Club Woman |
| Spouse(s) |
Eugene Lawson
(m. 1901–1931) |
| Children | 1 |
Roberta Lawson was an amazing woman who worked hard to help her community. She was born Roberta Campbell on October 31, 1878, in a place called Alluwe, Indian Territory. She passed away on December 31, 1940, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Roberta was part Lenape (a Native American tribe) and part Scots-Irish. She was a musician, and she organized many groups to make life better for people.
During World War I, she led the Women's Division of the Oklahoma Council of Defense. This group helped organize support for the war effort. She also became president of the Oklahoma State Federation of Women's Clubs. This group worked to improve communities and support education.
As the music leader for the General Federation of Women's Clubs, she wrote special music programs in 1926. In 1935, she was chosen to be the president of the General Federation. She led two million members for three years. They worked on important goals like creating "uniform marriage and divorce laws" and helping with "civic service."
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Early Life and Learning
Roberta E. Campbell was the daughter of Emeline Johhnycake. Emeline was a Lenape woman and the daughter of Charles Johnnycake. Charles was the last chief of the Lenape tribe. Roberta's father was John Edward Campbell, who was Scots-Irish.
Her father moved to Oklahoma after the American Civil War. He became a very successful trader. Roberta learned a lot from both sides of her family. She was taught at home and later went to a seminary. She also attended Hardin College in Missouri.
From her mother and her grandfather Charles, Roberta learned Lenape chants and music. These traditional songs later inspired her own musical creations.
Family Life and Moving to Tulsa
In 1901, Roberta married Eugene Lawson. He was a lawyer who lived in Nowata, Indian Territory. Eugene also worked in banking and the oil business. They had one son together, Edward Campbell Lawson, who was born in 1905.
Later, the family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. There, Eugene started his own oil company. After his father passed away in 1931, Edward became the president of their company, Lawson Petroleum Company.
Making a Difference in Her Community
Roberta Lawson became very active in women's clubs. These clubs were formed to help with social and community needs. In 1903, she became the president of the Nowata Women's Club. By 1917, she was elected to lead the Oklahoma State Federation of Women's Clubs.
The next year, she joined the General Federation of Women's Clubs. She held many important jobs there, including being the music chairman. During this time, she wrote music programs for clubs. She also created special music days in 1926.
From 1935 to 1938, Roberta was the president of the General Federation. She guided two million members to work on important goals. These goals included creating fair marriage and divorce laws and helping with community service.
Her strong leadership in Oklahoma and across the country brought her more recognition. During World War I, the Oklahoma governor chose her to lead the Women's Division of the Oklahoma Council of Defense. During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, chose Roberta. She was part of the National Committee for the Mobilization for Human Needs from 1933 to 1934.
Lawson also served as a director for the Oklahoma Historical Society. She was on the board for Oklahoma College for Women (now the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma). She was also a trustee for the University of Tulsa. She belonged to music and women's clubs in Tulsa. She was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Honors and Lasting Impact
Roberta Lawson was recognized for her important work.
- In 1935, she was added to the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame.
- She was one of only four women inducted into the National Hall of Fame for Famous American Indians. Her bronze statue is displayed among 41 others in Anadarko, Oklahoma.
