Houston was born on January 20, 1876 into a Baptist missionary family. She was one of ten children. In addition to being a historian, she was a playwright, a poet, editor of a newspaper, a pianist, and a religious director. Houston founded McAlester Seminary for Girls, as well as the Oklahoma Vocational Institute for Fine Arts and Crafts. She also helped to establish the Dogen Reading Room and the Oklahoma chapters of the YWCA, the NAACP and the Red Cross. Though she was undoubtedly an intellectual, Houston never received formal higher education.
When manhood is shackled, into its place Nature oft forces a courageous race Of women, who with heroic spirit, Stamp within unborn children the merit Denied their fathers. For what man’s disdain Keeps from one generation, the next will gain.
