Julia Ward Howe (May 27, 1819-October 17, 1910), little known today except as author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," was famous in her lifetime as poet, essayist, lecturer, reformer and biographer. She worked to end slavery, helped to initiate the women's movement in many states, and organized for international peace—all at a time, she noted, "when to do so was a thankless office, involving public ridicule and private avoidance."
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In 1868 Julia Ward Howe joined Caroline Severance in founding the New England Woman's Club. She also signed the call to the meeting that formed the New England Woman Suffrage Association and served as its president, 1868-77 and 1893-1910. In 1869 she and Lucy Stone led the formation of the American Woman Suffrage Association when its members separated from the National Association of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. Howe presided over the Massachusetts Suffrage Association, 1870-78 and 1891-93. From its first issue in 1870 she edited and contributed to the Woman's Journal founded by Lucy Stone.
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In Boston her busy social and organizational life centered in a house at 241 Beacon St.. She continued writing and lecturing, organizing women's clubs wherever she went. She preached frequently at her own Church of the Disciples and other Unitarian churches and, in 1893, gave an address at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, titled "What Is Religion?"
In 1908 Julia Ward Howe was the first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Not long before her death Smith College accorded her an honorary degree. The ceremony included "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," often performed to celebrate her appearances.
Excerpts are from a biographical article by Joan Goodwyn on a web page of the Unitarian Universalist History and Heritage Society.
https://uudb.org/articles/juliawardhowe.html
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