From collection Candidates
Sophia Wells Royce Williams was one of the women candidates for the eighth ward Ward School Committee in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1891. She did not win the race. Williams ran again in 1895 from the seventh ward, and was supported in her campaign by the women of the Civic Club of Philadelphia. Williams worked with the Club on several reform issues. Women from the Philadelphia Settlement and from Fannie Jackson Coppin head of the Institute for Colored Youth. Supporters held campaign meetings and 146 Club women canvassed the 7th Ward for over three weeks before the election. They wore badges reading "Women Want Women on School Boards to Care for Their Children.
Before her marriage Williams worked as a journalist. Williams and her husband, Talcott William were part of the Philadelphia circle of well known artists. Their friend and reknowed Philadelphia artisit Thomas Eakins painted portraits of both wife and husband. The Willams were both art collectors who donated their significant collections of items from Morocco to the Smithsonian Institution. Williams was a talented photographer and her work remains part of the Smithsonian collection.
Before her marriage Williams worked as a journalist. Williams and her husband, Talcott William were part of the Philadelphia circle of well known artists. Their friend and reknowed Philadelphia artisit Thomas Eakins painted portraits of both wife and husband. The Willams were both art collectors who donated their significant collections of items from Morocco to the Smithsonian Institution. Williams was a talented photographer and her work remains part of the Smithsonian collection.
