Frances Woodard

Frances Wilma Raffety was born on November 15, 1907, in Grinnell, Iowa, to parents Kittie Matilda Rowley and Edgar Elon Raffety. She attended Grinnell College and married Harold Wilfred Woodard on May 23, 1932, in Marshalltown, Iowa.

Frances Woodard is a leader who brings out the leadership qualities in others. She has three children--Paul, Ann and Thomas--who are all terrific leaders in both their businesses and communities. Her strength, wisdom and wit are obvious traits she his passed to her children.

Frances and Harold started the Woodard Hearing Aid Center in Des Moines, Iowa in 1946. She was the office manager until she retired in 1974. Living an exceptionally independent life at 86 years old, she lives in her Beaverdale home and drives to all her activities, including volunteering with the Ramsey Guild, playing in her bridge club and going to church.

Relying on her spiritual strength, she considers herself a "survivor." Frances sees her mother as her mentor due to "her ability to survive in spite of hardships." Concerning Carrie Chapman Catt, Frances recently wrote, "It is hard to imagine a time when women did not have the vote. Because of her example I felt equal to the job of running our business office. I was a good manager and I knew it." Frances still exercises her right to vote in every election.

Submitted 6/3/94