Lilah Denton Lindsey

Lilah Denton Lindsey (October 21, 1860 – December 22, 1943) was a Native American philanthropist, civic leader, women's community organizer, temperance worker, and teacher.

[2][3] She led numerous civic organizations and served as president of the Indian Territory Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU).

Lilah Denton was born in 1860 near Blue Creek, Coweta District, Muscogee Nation, Indian Territory.

[5] Lilah Denton was the youngest in the family of six children and the only one to survive to adulthood: four siblings died in infancy, and the fifth at the age of 12 years.

She was instrumental in directing Denton's education and encouraging her interest in the broad field of philanthropy, which she made her life work.

Lliah received a scholarships to further her education at Synodical Female College in Fulton, Missouri, and Hillsboro-Highland Institute in Hillsboro, Ohio.

[5] Denton's natural ability and her love for teaching soon gave her a high standing as an able educator in the old Indian Territory.

She visited the sick, personally secured donations for the needy, and practically did the work of a humane officer.

She secured the donation of a tract of land to establish a Florence Crittenton Home for Fallen Girls at Tulsa.

At the World's Convention of the WCTU held in Boston, Lindsey was introduced to the assembly of women from all nations as a "real native of America".

[citation needed] When Lindsey established the Tulsa chapter of the WCTU, she effectively organized the city's first woman's club.

[7] Lindsey was strongly interested in the preservation of Native American landmarks, especially the Creek Capitol Building at Okmulgee.