This temperance movement does more to advance women
than it does to restrict alcohol...

A temperance lecture was held in St. Albans on this day in 1874. Vermont law allowed the sale of liquor for medicinal purposes only, but it wasn't strictly enforced. Organizers didn’t want to change Vermont's law, but they did want the existing law implemented.

Interestingly, the temperence movement of 1874 had little impact on alcohol consumption, but a great impact upon the role of women in political organizing.

For the first time, many women participated in organized societies, realizing they could be politically powerful by employing their talents as organizers, speakers, writers and lobbyists for a variety of social causes.

Image courtesy the Vermont Historical Society.

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