Lila W. Thompson, A Woman for All Seasons

Read how a New Jersey farm girl, one of sixteen children, became known as ‘The Mother of the Legislature.” Follow her career in politics, election campaigns, service in the New Jersey Legislature and beyond, while nurturing her family and involving herself in lodges, church, and community. Lila was a groundbreaker. She celebrated many firsts at a time when women had just begun to exercise their right to vote. Yet her life full of accolades and tributes ended in tragedy.

Although his grandmother died before he was born, the author always felt her powerful legacy and spirit to be guiding forces in his life. In researching material for this book, he realized he did not have to create a famous grandmother, as the public records and living witnesses proved she was all that and more.

ENDORSEMENTS

When we probe our political history deeply, we find many stories of deceit and corruption. Fortunately we find a few of integrity and service that met with some success in the face of great odds. One such story is that of Lila W. Thompson. Her story inspires the courage we need today to continue the struggle when the odds against us seem so great.

 John B. Cobb, Jr., Professor Emeritus, Claremont School of Theology, CA

Writing of the grandmother he never knew, Donald Thompson has given us a wondrous gift of introducing us to Lila W. Thompson. Anyone interested in women’s leadership in the early days of women’s suffrage will find this book filled with down to earth details. Those who long for integrity and courage in politics will be buoyed up by the witness of her life.

 Rev. Barbara K. Lundblad, Joe R. Engle Associate Professor of Preaching, Union Theological Seminary, New York City

In a world prone to forget the ways our human faith story informs political and social activism, we have the gift of books like this one. This is about legacy: not just the family legacy of author Donald Thompson, but the legacy of us all. In the commitments and actions of Lila W. Thompson, we see signs of hope and signals of courage for the entire human family.

 Philip A. Amerson, President, Claremont School of Theology, CA

Lila W. Thompson, a woman from a small village in rural Ocean County, traveled the dirt and sandy roads of New Jersey in her vintage automobile to champion for new social and political standards for women.  She became the first woman in Ocean County to be elected to the New Jersey Legislature and became known as the mother of the legislature.  She was the first woman to become the foreman of a grand jury in the USA; the first director of the Ocean County Social Services, the county old age pension and other social programs. She founded several women's lodges and served on the boards of the only county hospital and county library. A woman of courage, integrity and achievement, she established standards for other women to follow.

 Pauline S. Miller, Official Ocean County Historian, Toms River, NJ

DONALD (DON) C. THOMPSON’S education includes B.A., Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA; M.Div., Drew University, Madison, NJ; Ed.D., UCLA, Los Angeles; and Ph.D., Pacific Western University, Los Angeles. He is a retired United Methodist minister, university professor, public speaker, author, and counselor. Don lives with his wife, Jane, in Bradenton, Florida. He directs TRANSITIONS SUPPORT GROUP helping persons through life changes, administered RECOVERY A CHOICE, is a social activist, and hopes Lila’s legacy inspires you to pursue your goals. He previously wrote: The Application of Paulo Freire to U.S. Adult Education.

All proceeds for this book will go to Transitions Church and Support Group to aid work with those in need.