Her Stories

- Documenting the Role of Women in Local History -

The Centre County Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was organized in 1884, and Rebecca Rhoads, president of the organization from 1915-1926, brought much to the vitality of its cause. A native of Bellefonte and a major leader behind the "dry forces" in the county, Rebecca Rhoads made her presence felt as a community leader.

Born in Bellefonte in November of 1872, Rebecca was the youngest child and only daughter of Judge Daniel Rhoads and Marie Dick Smith. Her father, who had moved to Bellefonte from Philadelphia, was drawn to the community as a result of his interest in the lumber, mining, and coal industries. Judge Rhoads also served as Judge of the courts of Centre County.

Rebecca Rhoads, throughout her time in Bellefonte, was prominent in the activities of the WCTU. She is remembered as having brought youth and enthusiasm to the mission of the organization by increasing membership, and building up a strong following. Rhoads was largely responsible for the politicization of prohibition in Centre County. She worked hard to have state and national officers brought into the county to perpetuate the cause of prohibition, and to reinforce her wish that it be taken very seriously by Centre County citizens.

Rhoads was extremely dedicated to her duties with the WCTU. On one occasion during her tenure, she drove all night to Washington, D.C. to recruit men to come back to Centre County and put over raids that were not being carried out by the local police force.

Even after her retirement as president of the county WCTU, Rebecca Rhoads worked diligently to elect a dry district attorney and other dry candidates for office. She would print up lists of dry candidates and put the ladies of the county WCTU to work as they distributed these lists to voters. The history of the Centre County Women's Christian Temperance Union best describes Rhoads' fierce advocacy of dryness in politics by stating: "The woman had put the fear of God into the hearts of the politicians."