as a leader in the wctu, gordon was a staunch believer in the need to interest children in temperance at a very early age. to that end, she authored a number of books of stories, verse, and song aimed at children, as well as publications for adults. sales of her books were said to have surpassed a million copies. her temperance songs became especially successful and were translated into multiple languages. she was also the editor of the "union signal", the news organ of the wctu, and "the young crusader", the newspaper of the loyal temperance legion, the wctu's children's branch.