Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-03-08
MRS. FRANCES S. LEE MEMBER
FROM ARAPAHOE.
Mother of Five Children, She Serves in
the Legislature of Colorado


There are three women in the house
Of representatives of Colorado. Mary
H. Kinkaid in Ainslee's gives this ac-
count of the Hon. Frances S. Lee,
member from Arapahoe:
Mrs. Frances s. Lee, who is the
youngest Of the three women repre-
sentatives, was born in Chicago less
than thirty years ago. When eleven
years old she went to Colorado with
her parents, who settled in Denver.
She was graduated from the West
Denver high school and taught for
short time before her marriage to
Frank w. Lee, leader in the Colorado
State Federation of Labor. Mrs. Lee
is the mother of five children. The
youngest was three years old when the
campaign of 1898 began. Although
her home duties had kept her busy for
a number of years, she had been con-
scientious student. Through her hus-
bands affiliations she had acquired a
wide knowledge Of labor conditions.
9fis Joined the Colorado woman's dem
acratic club because she felt IL to be
ner duty to do her part as citizen.
She soon gained the friendship of the
members, who put her forward as their
candidate for the Legislature Mrs. Lee
was slow to accept the honor, for she
had been too much occupied to culti-
waite the art Of public speaking. and
she hesitated to assume duties so at
variance with her quiet habits. The
club had chosen its candidate, and the
members would not hear of her refusal
TO run for office, When Mrs Lee plead
ed that she could not neglect there
were members who offered to stay with
the baby IL necessary. Mrs. Lee was
reminded that where there is a will
there is always way. Her name
presented to the democratic conven-
ton and she was nominated without
opposition
THE campaign showed that the wo-
man who could manage a house sue
cessfully and who could care for fam
lily of children had the qualities of
leader. When the time came for her
to take up her public duties It was evil
dent that the retiring home woman
could be trusted to do her part In the
Legislature.
''Mrs. Lee introduced five bills touch
ing educational aud labor questions.
None was passed. although each was
the subject OF earnest debate With
the other women legislators. Mrs. Lee
Md much nd h. so ~.
form measures that became laws.
Mrs. Lee Is of medium height and
slender form Her features are deli
safe, and her face shows that she is OF
high-strung, sensitive nature. BY
her womanliness and her gentleness
she won the chivalrous regard OF the
men who were her colleagues. She
was the first woman ever called to the
chair of the house during a session oil
committee of the whole. The other
women members had often presided
during the regular discussions. but
when Mrs. Lee was asked to take the
gavel during the consideration of ar
important question there was mo.
mentary sensation. The honorable
member from Arapahoe blushed and
showed some hesitation. Then she
assembled the steps leading to the
speakers stand and took the big chat,
as II IL were her habit.
During the sessions Mrs. Lee no
emily managed her house and cared fol
her children. but she found time to en-.
terrain many guests at her home
Once some one suggested that the care.
of state must be something of a bur,
den, when added to domestic duties
Mrs, Lee laughingly replied that any
one who had the executive ability to
run a house and rear several children
ought not to find any duties too ex-
acting for her strength"