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This entry refers to a departed business — a business that has closed or left town. Information here is mostly for historical reference. |
This water fountain was put in by the WCTU of Watsonville. The plaque says, "God's Free Gift."
| Mission Statement |
| The WCTU was organized by women who were concerned about the the destructive power of alcohol and the problems it was causing their families and society. |
| Web |
| http://www.wctu.org |
| Founder |
| Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer (National) |
| Established |
| 1874 (National) |
The Women's Christian Temperance Union had several active chapters in Santa Cruz County. The Boulder Creek Chapter started the first library in the town in 1898. The first kindergarten in Santa Cruz County was started by the WCTU of Santa Cruz in 1896. Kindergartens in the USA were started by the WCTU. By 1924 kindergartens were part of the public school systems.
While the women of the WCTU did not have the right to vote (when the chapters started), their husbands, sons, and fathers did vote. The local chapters of the WCTU were involved in many community ventures and influenced legislation. The Santa Cruz WCTU was founded by the president of the national WCTU, Frances Willard. The local chapter were: WCTU Santa Cruz Union (1883-1984), WCTU Watsonville Union (1884-1959), WCTU Highland Union (1888-1891[?]), WCTU Boulder Creek Union (1892-1962), WCTU Corralitos Union (1894-1984), WCTU Soquel Union (1923-1959), and WCTU East Santa Cruz Union (1926-1963).
The Women's Christian Temperance Union was founded in 1874. Today the WCTU is the oldest voluntary, non-sectarian woman's organization in continuous existence in the world. The WCTU is a founding member (1888) of the National Council for Women and the International Council of Women (1893). It is also a charter member (1945) of the United Nations Non-Governmental Organizations.
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