The Loyal Temperance Legion of Wisconsin is a branch of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Wisconsin, which in turn is affiliated with the national organization. The L.T.L. is concerned primarily with the ages of 6 to 12, the Youth Temperance Council with the ages 13 to 29 and the W.C.T.U. itself with the adults.
First founded in 1874 by Frances E. Willard as a result of the Woman's Temperance Crusade of 1873-1874, the Union's motto is “For God and Home and Every Land.” It considers itself an “organization of Christian women for the protection of the home, the abolition of liquor traffic, and the triumph of the golden rule in custom and law.”
The Wisconsin L.T.L. was founded in the late 1880's by Miss Annie J. Bradbury. The Legion is devoted to the education of children and young people along the lines of scientific, economic, and moral temperance. The Legion sponsors day camps and essay contests; and the annual convention held in various cities throughout Wisconsin forms the highlight of the L.T.L. year.
Mrs. Mary Money Eggert, from whose estate this collection was presented, served as state L.T.L. general secretary of children's work for thirty-nine years, retiring from this position in 1962. Born June 12, 1875, Mary (Money) Eggert devoted much of her eighty-nine years to work in the organization, first becoming a member when only nine years old. Having served in every office in the state L.T.L., Mrs. Eggert's last term of service was as state director of parliamentary law for the state W.C.T.U., a position she held for the fifteen years prior to her death on April 23, 1964. Knowledge of parliamentary law is considered to be a vital tool to be used in achieving the goals of the W.C.T.U., and members are urged to study it in detail.
