Boole, Ella (1858–1952)

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Boole, Ella (1858–1952)

American temperance reformer. Name variations: Ella Alexander; Ella A. Boole or Ella Alexander Boole. Born Ella Alexander, July 26, 1858, in Van Wert, Ohio; died Mar 13, 1952, in Brooklyn, NY; dau. of Isaac Newton Alexander (prominent lawyer) and Rebecca (Alban) Alexander; m. William Hilliker Boole (Methodist minister), July 3, 1883 (died 1896); children: Florence Alexander (b. 1887).

Taught high school and Sunday School and spoke at teachers' institutes (1878–83); after marriage, moved to Brooklyn, NY; joined New York branch of Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU, 1883), serving as vice president (1891), then president (1898–1903, 1909–25); served as National WCTU president (1925–33) and International WCTU president (1931–47); was corresponding secretary of Woman's Board of Home Missions of Presbyterian Church (1903–09); participated in successful drive to ban liquor from government buildings, military installations, and Indian reservations; gave speech supporting national prohibition amendment in Washington, DC (1913); worked to ratify 18th amendment in NY; ran unsuccessfully for Senate (1920, 1922, 1926); after WWII, was key in achieving recognition for World WCTU from United Nations. Was ordained deaconess in Presbyterian Church; supported women's suffrage and women's rights; worked for disarmament, world peace, and eradication of international drug trade.