M. Louise Thomas

Minnie Louise Thomas ( Russell; 1861–1947) was an American educator and the founder of Lenox Hall, a school for girls in St. Louis, Missouri.

Early life and education Minnie Louise Russell was born in 1861 in Columbia, Missouri, to Thomas Allen Russell, a circuit court judge in St. Louis, and Martha Louisa Lenoir. She moved with her family to St. Louis as a young child and graduated from a public high school in the city. The Press Association initially awarded two gold medals, one for men and one for women. According to Johnson, Russell and other women saw this as discriminatory and advocated for a single competition, where men and women would be judged equally. Thomas believed this approach would decrease the rising rate of divorce.

In 1910, Thomas announced that Lenox Hall would move to a new building in University City, Missouri. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on March 2, 1910. In 1920, Thomas relocated Lenox Hall again to Kirkwood, Missouri.

In 1928, Thomas attempted to transition administration of the school to the alumnae. Alumnae attempted to raise $30,000 to pay off the school’s debt, but were unsuccessful. The next year Thomas closed the school. She presided over Lenox Hall as principal and president for 22 years.

Thomas contributed an article to The World's Work's 1912 Hand Book of Schools, a guide for parents. Other contributors included professors from Columbia University, magazine editors, and school presidents.

Personal life M. Louise Russell married J. D. Thomas and had three children: Raydell T. Watson (1891–1974), Russell A. Thomas (died in 1895), and Louise Le Noir Thomas, a women's suffrage advocate. Thomas's parents were Thomas Allen Russell and Martha Louisa Lenoir.