Belle
Case was born in Wisconsin on 21st April, 1859. After attending the
University of Wisconsin, she married the radical politician, Robert
La Follette.
Although the mother of four young children, Belle joined her husband
in his political campaigns that resulted in him being elected governor
of Wisconsin in 1900.
In 1909 Belle and her husband founded the La
Follette's Weekly Magazine. The journal campaigned for
women's suffrage, racial
equality and other progressive causes.
La Follette supported Woodrow Wilson
in the 1912 presidential election and approved his social justice
legislation. However, she was totally opposed to Wilson's decision
to enter the First World War. Once war was declared
La Follette campaigned against conscription
and the passing of the Espionage Act.
After the war La Follette was an active member of the Women's
International League for Peace and Freedom. When Robert
La Follette died on 18th June, 1925, Belle turned down invitations
to take her husband's Senate seat. Instead her son, Robert
LaFollette Jr.,
replaced him. Belle La Follette died on 18th August, 1931.
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