Amelia Jenks Bloomer was an early suffragist, editor, and social activist. Bloomer was also a fashion advocate who worked to change women’s clothing styles. Bloomer was born in Homer, New York. With only a few years of formal education, she started working as a teacher, educating students in her community. Bloomer quickly became active in the Seneca Falls political and social community. In 1848, Bloomer went to the Seneca Falls Women’s Rights Convention. The next year she created The Lily, a newspaper solely dedicated to women. At first, the newspaper only addressed the temperance movement; however, due to demand, the bi-weekly paper expanded to cover other news. Bloomer’s most influential work was in dress reform. After noticing the health hazards and restrictive nature of corsets and dresses, Bloomer pushed for women to adopt a new style of dress. The pantaloons, now called Bloomers, not only illustrated a departure from the accepted dress for women, but the garments also came to represent activists in the women’s rights movement. The style of dress attracted much ridicule from conservative men and women. During the Civil War, Bloomer started the Soldier’s Aid Society of Council Bluffs to help Union soldiers. Until her death, Bloomer preached on temperance and women’s rights. She served as the President of the Iowa Suffrage Association from 1871-1873. Nonetheless, she never abandoned her commitment to the movement’s agenda. Bloomer passed away at the age of 76 in 1894.