A remarkable life

TIFFIN --- March is "Women's History Month" celebrating the contributions women have made to the United States and recognizing the specific achievements women have made throughout American history. With the help of the Seneca County Historical Society, Mark Steinmetz, and Tim McKee, president of the Tiffin Historic Trust, we can tell their stories. Louisa Fast was born in Canton, Ohio in the year 1878, her life began with tragedy as her father passed away just one month before her birth, and sadly, her mother followed suit, leaving her orphaned at the age of only 3 weeks. She then was found in the hands of William McKinley of Canton, a family friend and good friend of her father's, who stepped in to become her guardian. At 6 weeks old, Louisa, along with her two brothers and sister, relocated to Tiffin with her aunt, uncle, and grandparents at 115 N. Sandusky St. Despite early hardships in her life, Fast's determination and intelligence shone through as she graduated from Smith College in Massachusetts in 1898. After completing her studies, she returned to Tiffin to embark on a career as a librarian. During World War I, she traveled to France with the Smith College Relief Unit, where she dedicated her efforts to helping the war-torn regions and organizing the Military Library in Paris. Her experiences abroad fueled her passion for advocacy, particularly for women's rights and political involvement. With the passing of the Women's Suffrage Amendment in 1920, Louisa found herself inspired to encourage other women to engage in global and political affairs. She was hired by the League of Women Voters and played a pivotal role in establishing chapters across Ohio and the Middle states. Fast's eloquence as a speaker took her nationwide, where she delivered powerful speeches on topics such as the "Causes and Cure of War" and "International Relations." In 1935, she attended a conference in Istanbul, Turkey, representing the International Alliance for Women for Suffrage and Equal Citizenship. Following the conference, she returned to Tiffin, dedicating much of her time to the Seneca County Museum, particularly overseeing the development and organization of the museum's library. Fast's unwavering commitment to activism and advocacy did not go unnoticed. In 1976, she was honored with an Honorary Degree at the Honors Convocation by Heidelberg College. Recognition followed in 1980 when she was posthumously inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame under the category of Women's Suffrage and Cultural Activism. Her remarkable journey came to a close in 1979 at the age of 101. However, in 2021, Seneca County Museum Director Tonia Hoffert pays tribute to Louisa Fast by portraying her during School Days at the Heritage Festival Living Village, allowing 4th graders to learn about the extraordinary woman who fought tirelessly for women's rights and called Tiffin her home.