Jane Frances Winn

Called the "dean of newspaper women" in St. Louis, was at the beginning of her career teacher of botany and chemistry in the local high school[34]

What is Jane Frances Winn known for?

Born in 1855 in Chillicothe, Ohio, Jane Frances Winn, who wrote under the pseudonym Frank Fair, was a pioneering American journalist in the early 20th century. She was known as the "dean of newspaper women" in St. Louis, demonstrating her influence in the journalism field, and even gaining recognition from her male peers by 1903.

Prior to her journalism career, Winn was a dedicated educator teaching botany and chemistry in her hometown. She was particularly resourceful, creating a makeshift laboratory for qualitative analysis when the board of education did not supply one, an ingenuity that inspired students like Frederick L. Dunlap, who later became a chemistry instructor at the University of Michigan.

Winn was not only invested in teaching, but also in learning, evidenced by her enrollment in summer courses at Harvard University and the Starling Medical College in Columbus, Ohio. As a lover of botany, she authored a monograph on Ohio's oaks and was even elected vice-president of the Ohio Academy of Science for 1895.

Transitioning from a teaching to a writing career, Winn's work in journalism started with a series of botany articles illustrated by one of her students. This marked her entry into newspaper work in St. Louis. She was also actively involved in community work, being a founder of the Century Club and serving as its secretary for three years.

In 1904, Winn represented her newspaper on the Board of Lady Managers for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Her motto, as given by Cardinal Francesco Satolli, was "Honestas, Veritas, Caritas," encapsulating her dedication and integrity towards her profession. She wrote under the name "Frank Fair", with her work including club news, "Matters of Interest for Women Readers," and weekly half-page pieces under the title "Women the Wide World Over".

Remembered as an influential woman of the early 20th century, Jane Frances Winn left an indelible mark on the fields of education, science, and journalism, leaving a proud legacy for her alma mater, Chillicothe High School in Chillicothe, Ohio.