Julia B. Nelson: A Trailblazer for Women's Rights and Racial Equality




In the annals of American history, Julia B. Nelson remains a figure both revered and, at times, controversial. A woman of immense dedication and conviction, Nelson devoted her life to championing the causes of women's suffrage and temperance. Yet, her legacy is not without complexity, as she navigated the turbulent waters of race relations in the early 20th century.


Early Life and Activism


Julia B. Nelson's journey towards becoming a prominent suffragette and temperance advocate was marked by a relentless pursuit of justice and equality. Born in a time when women's voices were often stifled, she refused to conform to societal norms. Nelson's early advocacy work began in the realm of women's rights, and she testified before the House Judiciary Committee in 1886, long before the suffrage movement gained full momentum.


The Intersection of Suffrage and Temperance


As the 20th century dawned, the national Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), an influential organization, expanded its mission beyond temperance to address various social issues. It was no surprise that local chapters, such as Red Wing's Hobart Chapter, aligned with the WCTU's broader goals. These women were not only concerned with alcohol consumption but also took a stance against "crude language, immodest clothing, ill-mannered children, suggestive billboards, Sabbath desecration, and trashy novels."


Advocacy for Women's Suffrage


One of the defining moments in Julia B. Nelson's life was her involvement in the suffrage movement. She, along with other suffragettes, met President Woodrow Wilson in December 1913 to advocate for women's right to vote. Her tireless efforts contributed to the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment in September 1920, granting women the right to vote in national elections.


Complications of Race


However, Nelson's legacy is also marked by complexities when it comes to race relations. At a time when civil rights issues were gaining attention, she appeared to have a blind spot. In her remarks at a 1914 WCTU meeting, she included a defense of her work for women's suffrage by saying, "You may class me with idiots, lunatics, and Indians." While she may have meant it metaphorically, it underscored the challenges of addressing racial equality within the broader suffrage movement.


Julia B. Nelson's Lasting Impact


Julia B. Nelson did not live to see all her early goals accomplished, but her legacy endures. Her dedication to the women's movement and temperance efforts paved the way for significant societal changes. By 1920, women had secured their right to vote, and Prohibition had become the law of the land. Nelson's legacy lives on through the progress made during her time.


Legacy and Controversy


Julia B. Nelson's impact extended beyond activism. In her will, she left a substantial portion of her estate to William F. Richards, an African American attorney in Washington, D.C. This decision sparked controversy and rumors in Red Wing, where some believed Richards was her illegitimate son or lover. However, Nelson's niece, Lorena Bullard Wiech, upheld her aunt's wishes and refused to contest the will, believing it reflected Nelson's intentions.


A Woman Ahead of Her Time


In retrospect, Julia B. Nelson's life and work can be seen as that of a trailblazer. She challenged societal norms, championed women's rights, and stood at the forefront of the suffrage and temperance movements. Despite the challenges and controversies she faced, Nelson's commitment to justice and equality left an indelible mark on the progressive movements of her era.


In the words of Jens Grondahl, the editor of the Red Wing Daily Republican, Julia B. Nelson was "one of a group of noble women... who were the life of progressive movements in the days before women had the ballot." Her legacy reminds us that change often comes from those willing to be ahead of their time, challenging the status quo for the sake of a more just and equitable future.

A Poem Julia Bullard Nelson wrote for Chief Red Wing 


Red Wing Remembered (first three stanzas):


When Red Wing led his dusky band

Through what was then Dakota land

But now is Minnesota,

In picking out a village site,

For commerce great or money's might

He cared not one iota.


But, savage chieftain as he was

He well deserves a sketch by Boz,

Or other able writer;

Not for the feathers that he wore

To signify his thirst for gore

Or prowess as a fighter.


But all who view the lovely spot,

Where teepees were which now are not,

Will say from sense of duty:

Old Red Wing knew a thing or two,

Though void of culture, and a Sioux,

He had an eye for beauty.

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