Ione Virginia Hill Cowles Explained

Ione Virginia Hill Cowles (Hill; after marriage, Mrs. Josiah Evans Cowles; March 13, 1858 - July 4, 1940) was an American clubwoman and social leader. Cowles served as eighth international president^[1] of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) from 1916 to 1918, and was then re-elected from 1918 to 1920. She preceded her executive work as head of the largest group of federated women in the U.S. by her experience gained as president of the California State Federation Women's Clubs from 1906 to 1907.^[2]

Biography

Ione Virginia Hill was born in Carthage, Indiana, March 13, 1858. She was the daughter of Thomas Clarkson Hill, a prominent Quaker of Chicago, Illinois,^[3] and Adaline (Butler) Hill.^[4]

Cowles was a student at Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, 1875 (A.M., 1916).

In 1890, in Chicago, she married Josiah Evans Cowles, M.D., of Los Angeles, California and they made that city their home.

Cowles served as President of the California State Federation Women's Clubs, 1905-06. She was the Director, 1904–06; Treasurer, 1906–08; First Vice-president, 1908–12; and President, 1916-20,^[5] of the GFWC. She was also a member, Woman's Committee of the Council of National Defense.

Cowles was identified with a number of prominent charities. In religion, she was Episcopalian, and served as president of Women's Auxiliary Diocese of Los Angeles.^[6]

Cowles died at her home in Los Angeles, July 4, 1940.^[7] Her papers are held in a collection by the General Federation of Women's Clubs, Washington, D.C.^[8]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Print, Photographic : PRES 1916-1920.01 . www.gfwc.org . 17 April 2022.
2. Book: Who's who Among the Women of California: An Annual Devoted to the Representative Women of California, with an Authoritative Review of Their Activities in Civic, Social, Athletic, Philanthropic, Art and Music, Literary and Dramatic Circles ... . 1922 . Security Publishing Company . 101 . Public domain . 17 April 2022 . en.
3. Book: Ridenbaugh . Mary Young . Mary Young Ridenbaugh . Biography of Ephraim McDowell, M.D. v. 2 . 1897 . McDowell Publishing Company . 183 . Public domain . 17 April 2022 . en.
4. Book: Leonard . John . Who's who in America . 1922 . Public domain . A.N. Marquis . 791–92 . 12 . 17 April 2022 . en.
5. News: MRS. COWLES NAMED AS FEDERATION HEAD; She Gets 1,273 Votes to 433 Cast for Mrs. Sneath, the Only Opposing Candidate. THE CONVENTION ADJOURNS This Is "Play Day," and the Women Visitors Plan Excursion Trips ;- Woods Talks to Them. . 17 April 2022 . The New York Times . timesmachine.nytimes.com . 2 June 1916 . en.
6. Book: Burdette . Robert Jones . Greater Los Angeles and Southern California: Portraits and Personal Memoranda . 1910 . Lewis Publishing Company . 100 . Public domain . 17 April 2022 . en.
7. News: Platt . Mrs. Charles F. . AN APPRECIATION OF MRS. COWLES . 17 April 2022 . The Charlotte News . Newspapers.com . 11 August 1940 . 8 . en.
8. Web site: Catalog Number . pastperfectonline.com . 17 April 2022.