1877. Indicating a widely held belief that women owned a “sphere” of authority in the realm of home and family, Washington’s Territorial Legislature granted tax-paying women the right to vote in school elections. One firmly planted step forward…
The year was 1875. Territorial legislators introduced a women’s suffrage bill, but the measure lost in the House by a vote of 15 to 11. Better news next week, I promise!
In 1871, Daniel Bigelow brought before the Territorial Legislature a bill granting women’s suffrage. However, the Legislature rejected the bill by enacting a law which declared that women could not vote until the U.S. Congress made it the law of the land. (Dave Hastings alluded to this in his comment on my previous post.) Here is what they said: “Hereafter no female shall have the right of ballot at any poll or election precinct in this Territory until the Congress of the United…
In October of 1871, prominent national suffrage advocate Susan B. Anthony traveled to Washington Territory and became the first woman to address the Washington Territorial Legislature. Anthony and Oregon suffragist Abigail Scott Duniway toured Washington Territory to promote women’s suffrage, spurring the creation of Suffrage Associations throughout the area. Fast-forward to 2010, and plans are in the works to celebrate the 139th anniversary of Susan B. Anthony’s history-making visit this October in Olympia. Stay tuned for more details!
On Saturday the 17th, the 51-year-old Lakefair Parade in Olympia was host to a particularly special feature this year. On a perfectly sunny afternoon (which rarely seems to happen on Lakefair Parade day!), over 50 suffragists marched north on Capitol Boulevard in a dapper celebration of the Washington women’s suffrage centennial. Clad in lacy whites and huge hats, the suffragists led the way through the streets, proudly carrying signs displaying suffrage sayings, such as “They Showed Us It Could Be Done,” “Hurrah for the Suffragettes,” and “Taxation Without…
November 8th, 2010 – the centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage in Washington – is fast approaching! In order to keep everyone up to speed on the upcoming celebration – or jubilation – we are writing a series of 19 blog posts with information about the suffrage movement in Washington. Do you have ancestors who were part of Washington’s women’s suffrage movement? Tell us your stories! The year was 1854. Arthur A. Denny, a member of the first Washington Territorial Legislature, introduced an…
This year marks the 100-year anniversary of women’s suffrage in Washington. Leading up to the centennial, which is in November, we are sharing some tidbits about the fight for women’s right to vote in Washington, and how it was finally won. In 1877 the Washington Territorial Legislature passed a law allowing tax-paying women to vote in school elections, reflecting a belief that women had a “sphere” that included home and family matters.
With the centennial celebration of women’s suffrage in Washington now in full swing, the State Library has a speaking event scheduled for February 10 that continues on this monumental theme. Tacoma letterpress artists Jessica Spring and Chandler O’Leary will discuss their work and speak in particular about their very popular collaboration, The Feminist Broadside series. For more info, go here. The speaking program begins at 6:30 p.m., with the doors opening at 6. The State Library is located at 6880…
Last night’s opening of our office’s new exhibit, “Moving Forward, Looking Back“, was an extraordinary, energetic evening dedicated to the women of Washington. Governor Gregoire, first woman insurance commissioner Deborah Senn, first woman lands commissioner Jennifer Belcher, and relatives of Dixy Lee Ray and Belle Reeves shared inspiring stories … and there were plenty of “huzzahs” from costumed ladies in the crowd. If you missed the event, which celebrated women’s achievements in government, watch it below or catch the program on TVW today…
Barbara Madsen has been installed as chief justice of the Washington Supreme Court, placing her at the pinnacle of the state’s judicial branch. It’s part of a remarkable story of women trailblazers in state politics and government. Madsen, who has served on the highest court since 1992, succeeds Gerry Alexander, the longest-serving chief in state history. Madsen, in brief comments at installation ceremonies at the Temple of Justice on Monday, highlighted the contributions of women and minorities in the state…