Theodora W. Youmans

Theodora W. Youmans (February 1, 1863 – August 17, 1932) was an American journalist, editor, and women's suffrage activist from Wisconsin. As president of the Wisconsin Women's Suffrage Association, Youmans played an important role in securing Wisconsin women the right to vote.

Early life Girlhood Home of Theodora W. Youmans at the New Berlin Historical Society in New Berlin, Wisconsin

Theodora W. Youmans was born Theodora Winton in Ashippun, Wisconsin and grew up in Prospect Hill. Her father, Theodore Sumner Winton, was a storekeeper and postmaster. Her mother, Emily Winton, was a former schoolteacher. She attended Carroll Academy in Waukesha County.

Career

Youmans started her career in the 1880s as a freelance writer, and later a staff writer, for the Waukesha Freeman. As a woman journalist, she was a pioneer in her field. In 1886 she wrote a series of articles about her experiences traveling alone in the Northwoods. Soon afterwards she began writing a regular "Women's World" column for the Freeman. She married the newspaper's editor and publisher, Henry Mott Youmans, in 1889, and was promoted to assistant editor in 1890. Despite her efforts, the 1912 referendum failed.

The Theodora Youmans Citizenship Award has been given each year by the Wisconsin chapter of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC-WI) since 1937. Youmans Park in Waukesha is named in her honor.