As indicated in one of the notes saved in Lenora's collection of correspondence, her sister June was a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Tucked away in a bag of unrelated family postcards, a tattered songbook hid further evidence of a tension between sisters.
Based on her pledge card, June’s involvement with the WCTU predated the 18th Amendment. Was June canvassing for Prohibition? Did this spur Lenora's interest in tending bar? Or was that unrelated?
As a moonlighting speakeasy bartender and a temperance advocate living under the same roof, the Bowen sisters were certainly an odd couple. And while Lenora was clearly aware of June's affiliation, I can't help but wonder — did June know what her sister did for a living?