Helena Hill Weed | |
|---|---|
 Portrait byHarris & Ewing,c. 1910–1920 | |
| Born | Helena Charlotte Hill (1875-08-15)August 15, 1875 |
| Died | April 20, 1958(1958-04-20) (aged 82) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | |
| Known for | Women's suffrage |
| Father | Ebenezer J. Hill |
| Relatives | Elsie Hill (sister) |
Helena Charlotte Hill Weed (née Hill; August 15, 1875 – April 20, 1958) was an Americansuffragist, and a member of theNational Women's Party.[1][2]She was one of the first American female geologists.[3]
Helena Charlotte Hill was born on August 15 1875, to Connecticut congressmanEbenezer J. Hill[1] and Mary Eileen Mossman.[4]
She later married and changed her name to Helena Charlotte Hill Weed.[1][2]
On July 4, 1917,the anniversary of the United States' independence, Hillpicketed outside theWhite House carrying a banner stating: "Governments derive their just powers from theconsent of the governed."[5] this led to her arrest and she served three days in aWashington, D.C. prison.[5] This event is notable as she was one of the first women to be arrested for doing such.
She was arrested again in January 1918 for applauding in court, for which she served a day in jail. In August of that year, she was arrested for participating in the pro-suffrage Lafayette Square meeting at which her sisterElsie Hill spoke, for which Helena served 15 days.[1][6] Her other sister Clara Hill was also a suffragist.[2]
In addition to her work for women's suffrage, Helena Hill was also one of America's first female geologists, having studied atVassar College and theMontana School of Mines.[1][3] She was a founding member of theWomen's National Press Club, a vice-president of theDaughters of the American Revolution, and the national secretary of the Haiti-Santo Domingo Independence Society.[1][7] She also wrote articles in support of Haitian independence for the magazineThe Nation.[7]
On April 20, 1958, Hill died at the age of 82.[3]
Media related toHelena Hill Weed at Wikimedia Commons