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Change often came slowly to the South, but it often arrived with a whirlwind of effort pushing it along. Helen Stoddard, a force of nature unto herself, became a leader in the state with her efforts to defeat alcohol and promote women’s equality. Stoddard became an early professor and pursued a host of causes across Texas, including child welfare, women’s education, food safety, prohibition of alcohol, and women’s suffrage. Her stubborn mindset, coupled with a sharp intellect and fiery sermons galvanized legislators and public opinion at the turn of the century. Along the way, Helen Stoddard became one of the co-founders of what is now Texas Woman’s University and one of the first women to run for Congress.