Hattie Hooker, the daughter of Frederick Josiah Hooker and Alexina (Fellows) Hooker, was born on July 28, 1875, at Selma, Alabama in Dallas County.[3] Hattie was educated at Boss Calloway's School in Selma, and later attended Normal College in Nashville, Tennessee to prepare to teach school.[1] Along with all of her schooling she was also involved with the local church, the Broad Streed Presbyterian Church.
After graduating in 1894, she began a career teaching up until she got married. In 1898 Hattie married Joseph G. Wilkins, an industrialist, and they resided in Selma. Together they had four children, although one of her children died at the age of three after drinking lye water.[4] When her family was asked about her most noteworthy accomplishments, they answered with, "her most significant accomplishment was that of wife and mother, and maker of a beautiful home that is a center of refinement and those lovely characteristics that go to make the perfect home life."[5]
Suffragist and women's rights activistedit
Wilkins was one of the first suffragists in the state of Alabama. Wilkins was a founding member of the Alabama Equal Suffrage Association and the Alabama League of Women Voters.[1] Wilkins explained her ardor for women's rights, along with the right to vote with the following statement, "Self-direction or freedom of choice is necessary to the highest mental and spiritual development of a human being. Because democracy gives to each person this opportunity for development, democracy is right. Because democracy is right, Woman Suffrage is right."[5]
Legislatoredit
After women gained suffrage, Wilkins stayed involved in politics and in 1922, she was one of three candidates for a seat in the 1923 Alabama Legislature. Wilkins beat the incumbent candidate for the Alabama House of Representatives, and became the first woman elected to a seat in the Alabama Legislature .[6] Wilkins joined the legislature as a democrat with the belief that in a nation of both men and women, the government should cater to the needs of men and women alike. Her main agenda was aimed towards reforming education, healthcare and the special needs of her constituents while being head of the committee on public health. Her efforts as a legislator gained the respect of her colleagues with in the legislation. She decided not to run for a second term but upon leaving she was gifted, by her colleagues, with and inscribed cup that said, "To Mrs. Wilkins, the First Woman Member of the Alabama House of Representatives, a Token of Esteem From Her Fellow Members, 1923."[5]
Death and legacyedit
Wilkins died in 1949.[1] In 1977, Wilkins was selected as one of twenty-five Alabama women who were highlighted in the historical exhibit, "Faces and Voices of Alabama Women". This exhibit is a permanent collection at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. After being highlighted in this historical exhibit she was once again memorialized in 1997 when she was inducted into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame. This was hosted by Judson College in Marion, Perry County.[7]
Referencesedit
^ abcd"Hattie Hooker Wilkins (1875-1949)". The Alabama Women's Hall of Fame Profile. Marion, Alabama: The Alabama Women's Hall of Fame. 2000. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
^"Inductees". Alabama Women's Hall of Fame. State of Alabama. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
^State of Alabama and Thomas McAdory Owen. (1923) Alabama Official and Statistical Register. [Montgomery]: State of Alabama, Dept. of Archives and History. Accessed on 29 March 2010
^"Hattie Hooker Wilkins | Encyclopedia of Alabama". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved 2016-10-05.
^Rogers, William Warren (1994). William Warren Rogers (ed.). Alabama: The History of a Deep South State. University of Alabama Press. ISBN0-8173-0712-5. Retrieved 30 March 2010.
^"Hattie Hooker Wilkins | Encyclopedia of Alabama". Encyclopedia of Alabama. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
January 01, 1970
hattie, hooker, wilkins, hattie, wilkins, née, hooker, july, 1875, 1949, american, progressive, suffragist, women, rights, activist, best, known, being, first, woman, elected, seat, alabama, legislature, inducted, into, alabama, women, hall, fame, 1997, bornha. Hattie Wilkins nee Hooker July 28 1875 1949 was an American progressive era suffragist and women s rights activist who is best known for being the first woman elected to a seat in the Alabama Legislature 1 She was inducted into the Alabama Women s Hall of Fame in 1997 2 Hattie Hooker WilkinsBornHattie Hooker 1875 07 28 July 28 1875Selma AlabamaDied1949 aged 73 74 NationalityAmericanAlma materNormal College Nashville TennesseeOccupation s Politician SuffragistSpouseJoseph G Wilkins m 1898 wbr Contents 1 Family and early life 2 Suffragist and women s rights activist 3 Legislator 4 Death and legacy 5 ReferencesFamily and early life editHattie Hooker the daughter of Frederick Josiah Hooker and Alexina Fellows Hooker was born on July 28 1875 at Selma Alabama in Dallas County 3 Hattie was educated at Boss Calloway s School in Selma and later attended Normal College in Nashville Tennessee to prepare to teach school 1 Along with all of her schooling she was also involved with the local church the Broad Streed Presbyterian Church After graduating in 1894 she began a career teaching up until she got married In 1898 Hattie married Joseph G Wilkins an industrialist and they resided in Selma Together they had four children although one of her children died at the age of three after drinking lye water 4 When her family was asked about her most noteworthy accomplishments they answered with her most significant accomplishment was that of wife and mother and maker of a beautiful home that is a center of refinement and those lovely characteristics that go to make the perfect home life 5 Suffragist and women s rights activist editWilkins was one of the first suffragists in the state of Alabama Wilkins was a founding member of the Alabama Equal Suffrage Association and the Alabama League of Women Voters 1 Wilkins explained her ardor for women s rights along with the right to vote with the following statement Self direction or freedom of choice is necessary to the highest mental and spiritual development of a human being Because democracy gives to each person this opportunity for development democracy is right Because democracy is right Woman Suffrage is right 5 Legislator editAfter women gained suffrage Wilkins stayed involved in politics and in 1922 she was one of three candidates for a seat in the 1923 Alabama Legislature Wilkins beat the incumbent candidate for the Alabama House of Representatives and became the first woman elected to a seat in the Alabama Legislature 6 Wilkins joined the legislature as a democrat with the belief that in a nation of both men and women the government should cater to the needs of men and women alike Her main agenda was aimed towards reforming education healthcare and the special needs of her constituents while being head of the committee on public health Her efforts as a legislator gained the respect of her colleagues with in the legislation She decided not to run for a second term but upon leaving she was gifted by her colleagues with and inscribed cup that said To Mrs Wilkins the First Woman Member of the Alabama House of Representatives a Token of Esteem From Her Fellow Members 1923 5 Death and legacy editWilkins died in 1949 1 In 1977 Wilkins was selected as one of twenty five Alabama women who were highlighted in the historical exhibit Faces and Voices of Alabama Women This exhibit is a permanent collection at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa After being highlighted in this historical exhibit she was once again memorialized in 1997 when she was inducted into the Alabama Women s Hall of Fame This was hosted by Judson College in Marion Perry County 7 References edit a b c d Hattie Hooker Wilkins 1875 1949 The Alabama Women s Hall of Fame Profile Marion Alabama The Alabama Women s Hall of Fame 2000 Retrieved 30 March 2010 Inductees Alabama Women s Hall of Fame State of Alabama Retrieved February 20 2012 State of Alabama and Thomas McAdory Owen 1923 Alabama Official and Statistical Register Montgomery State of Alabama Dept of Archives and History Accessed on 29 March 2010 Hattie Hooker Wilkins Encyclopedia of Alabama Encyclopedia of Alabama Retrieved 2016 10 05 a b c Women Wielding Power Alabama www nwhm org Retrieved 2016 10 05 Rogers William Warren 1994 William Warren Rogers ed Alabama The History of a Deep South State University of Alabama Press ISBN 0 8173 0712 5 Retrieved 30 March 2010 Hattie Hooker Wilkins Encyclopedia of Alabama Encyclopedia of Alabama Retrieved 2016 10 06 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Hattie Hooker Wilkins amp oldid 1210562214, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
