Woman's Temperance Publishing Association facts for kids

The Woman's Temperance Publishing Association (WTPA) was a special company that printed books and papers. It was not for making money. Instead, it focused on temperance ideas. Temperance means encouraging people to avoid alcoholic drinks.

This group started in 1879 in Indianapolis, Indiana. It began during a big meeting of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). The idea for the WTPA came from Matilda Carse. She was a businesswoman and a leader in the temperance movement.

The WTPA was set up as a company where people could buy shares. It operated in Illinois. Only women from the WCTU could own shares in the company. Men were not allowed to buy them. It started with $5,000 and grew to $125,000. Seven women, including Matilda Carse, were on its main board. The WTPA stopped operating in 1903.

The Union Signal Newspaper

When the WCTU first met, they knew they needed their own newspaper. They wanted a way to share their ideas with many people. A committee was formed to plan this newspaper.

In June, the first newspaper was printed. It was called Woman's Temperance Union. Jennie Fowler Willing was its first editor. Mary Coffin Johnson was the publisher. Later, the newspaper's name changed to Our Union.

In 1882, something big happened. Our Union joined with another paper called Illinois Signal. Together, they became The Union Signal. This new paper then belonged to the Woman's Temperance Publication Association. Even though the WTPA was a separate company, it was the main publisher for the National W.C.T.U.

The weekly newspaper was first named The Signal. Its first issue came out on January 4, 1880. It had 16 pages. Mary Willard, who was the mother of WCTU president Frances Willard, was the first editor. By the end of the first year, 3,200 people subscribed. Over time, more than 90,000 people read the paper! The WTPA also employed 135 people. The newspaper's motto was: "Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth."

Other Publications

Besides the newspaper, the WTPA printed many other things. They published articles called "Timely Talks." They also created "National Leaflets." These leaflets helped teach people about different parts of their work.

For young women, they published The Oak and Ivy Leaf. Children had their own paper called The Young Crusader. The WTPA also printed several books. A guide called the Band of Hope Lesson Manual was published four times a year.

Notable People Who Worked There

Many important women were part of the WTPA. Here are a few:

• Katharine Lente Stevenson (1853–1919): She was a temperance reformer, a missionary, and an editor.
• Margaret Ashmore Sudduth (1859–1957): She was an educator, an editor, and a strong supporter of temperance.