Lillian M. N. Stevens

American temperance worker

Lillian M. N. Stevens (1843–1914) was an American temperance worker and social reformer, born at Dover, Maine. She helped launch the Maine chapter of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (W. C. T. U. ), served as its president, and was elected president of the National W. C. T. U. after the death of Frances Willard. Stevens also served as Editor in chief of the W. C. T. U. 's organ, The Union Signal.

Lillian, known as "Marilla" in childhood, was the fourth of six children born in Dover, Maine to Nathaniel Ames and Nancy Fowler Parsons Ames. Two of her older siblings died in infancy, leaving one boy and three girls. Her father was a teacher, Her mother died when Lillian was 14. In January 1859 her father married Frances L. Bragdon, a resident of Cape Elizabeth. Lillian's new home provided easy access to the Westbrook Seminary, which she entered for the spring term two months later.

Lillian Ames was 16 years old when her father died of consumption. At about that time she began to teach school. She was hired at the Spruce Street School outside Portland, and then by the Stroudwater School. Lillian Ames was said to be one of the earliest Maine women to continue teaching during a winter season, customarily restricted to male teachers. she decided to marry, a status in those days judged incompatible with a woman's teaching. In 1911 she was awarded an honorary degree of A. M. from Bates College.

Lillian Ames married Michael Stevens of Portland, Maine, on October 17, 1865, at Meadville, Pennsylvania. Michael Stevens was about 10 years older than Lillian and was a salt and grain wholesaler. He had been raised in a large brick home in Stroudwater, built in 1803 by his father, Tristram Stevens,
In Lillian Steven's later work, Michael Stevens became a partner and ally, described as "ready to sympathize with the ideas of social reform" and to support "her ideas regarding the extension of the suffrage to women." In 1899, he was given honorary life membership in the Maine W. C. T. U.

In 1874, Stevens was in her early 30s and raising a seven year old daughter. As a resident of Cumberland County, her region had founded a local temperance society over forty years earlier. Francis Murphy announced a temperance camp meeting for September, 1874 at Old Orchard Beach, near Portland, Maine. Lillian Stevens learned that Frances Willard was scheduled to speak at the camp meeting, and eagerly joined the group, bringing her young daughter with her. In 1875, Maine followed with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Maine, formed at Old Orchard Beach.

Stevens was described as possessing "great executive ability and [being] a convincing speaker." Her name was visible in the earliest days of women's temperance work in Maine,

In 1900, she was elected vice president at large of the World W. C. T. U. Under her national presidency, membership continued to swell, and one thousand temperance unions were organized in one year (1900). She helped to raise the age for protection of girls to 16 and to add scientific temperance instruction to the schools. to establish the Temporary Home for Women and Children. It was viewed as "a temporary home for those who desire to begin anew in an upright life . in a place free from evil associations and away from old temptations."

Lillian Stevens was a staunch supporter of the Maine Industrial School for Girls, established in 1873. She was first appointed one of five (later six) trustees in 1885.

Stevens was corresponding secretary representing Maine for the National Conference of Charities and Corrections. Begun under the American Social Science Association, in 1879 the organization changed its name to the National Conference of Charities and Correction, a name it bore for nearly forty years. "By 1880 the number of members had grown to over 125, most of whom were representatives of public institutions or agencies and delegates of private bodies." In the 1888 conference at Baltimore, the issue of women police matrons came up. Lillian Stevens reported: "As a Maine woman I take great pride in saying that the first police matron in this country was appointed in Portland." Stevens was active in the national branch, where she assumed the role of treasurer in 1891 and in 1895 joined its newly formed cabinet as Secretary of the Department of Moral Reform. Its purpose was to "[present] to the people of the world the wonderful progress of women in all civilized lands in the great departments of intellectual activity." Stevens chaired the committee on "Philanthropy and Charity," as well as being a member of the Home Advisory Council. It is believed this was the first time the flag was so lowered for any woman in Maine. Designed by British sculptor George Wade for the Columbia Exposition at Chicago, this bronze copy was given to honor Lillian M. N. Stevens, 55 year long resident of the city, and president of the Maine W. C. T. U., the National W. C. T. U., and benefactor of Portland. Originally installed at Congress Square, since 1979 it has been located in the Portland Public Library.