Willard, Frances Elizabeth Caroline (1839-1898), was an American educator and social reformer. She served as president of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.) from 1879 until her death (see Woman’s Christian Temperance Union ).
Willard was born on Sept. 28, 1839, at Churchville, New York. She served as president of the Evanston (Illinois) College for Ladies. When the college merged with Northwestern University, Willard became the dean of the Woman’s College. She left the college in 1874 to work with the W.C.T.U. Willard expanded the scope of the W.C.T.U. to deal with issues beyond temperance, such as woman suffrage. In 1883, Willard founded a world temperance union. She also worked with the Prohibition Party and the National Council of Women (see Prohibition ).
Willard died on Feb. 17, 1898. A statue of her represents the state of Illinois in the Statuary Hall collection in Washington, D.C.
