Cora Bussey Hillis

[3] In 1887 Hillis helped found the Des Moines Women's Club, and she raised money for the organization by giving lectures on the fine arts in her home.

Hillis first ventured into advocacy work in 1894 when she campaigned to create a safe public swimming facility for children in the Des Moines River, including a bath house and rental swimwear for those who could not afford their own.

[4] After the death of her son Philip in 1893, Hillis became involved in the "mother's congress" movement (later became the Parent-Teacher Association) that promoted an educated approach to parenthood and child-rearing.

She campaigned for the creation of a juvenile court system in Iowa, which at the existed in very few states, and she helped write the legislation that was eventually passed in 1904.

She worked with the newly established Baby Saving Campaign in Des Moines, which included birth registrations, ice and milk distribution, visiting nurses, and the fresh air camp.

[4] For many years Hillis attempted to convince the State University of Iowa to establish a research unit devoted to child development, which was an area poorly understood at the time.

Hillis was inspired in this work by her experiences caring for her invalid sister, Laura, who developed a rare spinal disease when she was two years old.