How The Western United States was the epicenter for Women in politics.
The Western United States emerged as a pioneering frontier for women in politics, providing a unique landscape where trailblazing efforts towards gender equality and political representation gained momentum. The region's expansive territories and relatively recent settlement allowed for more fluid societal structures, unencumbered by entrenched traditions. Women, often drawn by the promise of new opportunities, actively engaged in political activism and leadership roles. The suffrage movement found fertile ground in the West, with several states granting women the right to vote well before the rest of the nation. Pioneering women in the Western states became instrumental in shaping political landscapes, breaking barriers to secure positions of influence. Notable figures like Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress, and Nellie Taylor Ross, the first woman elected as a governor in the United States, made history in the Western political arena.
Jeanette Rankin, (pictured above)
Jeannette Rankin was a pioneering American politician and women's rights advocate, known for being the first woman elected to the United States Congress. Born in Montana, Rankin played a crucial role in the women's suffrage movement, advocating for women's right to vote. She was elected as a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1916, four years before the 19th Amendment granted nationwide suffrage to women.
Rankin's historic first term began in 1917, and during this period, she became a prominent figure in the pacifist movement. Her commitment to peace was evident when she cast the sole dissenting vote against the U.S. entry into World War I in 1917, a decision that drew both admiration and criticism. After leaving Congress, Rankin continued her activism, working for various social causes, including pacifism, civil rights, and women's rights. Notably, she was re-elected to the House in 1940, becoming the only member of Congress to vote against the United States' entry into both World War I and World War II. Jeannette Rankin remains an iconic figure in American history, celebrated for her groundbreaking achievements and unwavering commitment to social justice.
Nellie Taylor Ross (pictured above)
In 1922, William Ross became the governor of Wyoming through a campaign that appealed to progressive voters from both political parties. Unfortunately, his term was cut short when he passed away on October 2, 1924, due to surgical complications following an appendectomy. In an unusual turn of events, the Democratic Party nominated William Ross's widow, Nellie, to run for governor in the special election that followed. Despite her initial refusal to campaign actively, Nellie Ross easily won the election on November 4, 1924, becoming the first female governor in the history of the United States on January 5, 1925.
As governor, Nellie Ross continued the policies championed by her late husband, focusing on tax cuts, government assistance for struggling farmers, banking reform, and legislation aimed at protecting children, women workers, and miners. She advocated for Wyoming to ratify a pending federal amendment prohibiting child labor and aligned herself with her husband's stance on strengthening prohibition laws. In 1926, she sought re-election but narrowly lost to Frank Emerson, partly attributing her defeat to her refusal to actively campaign and her unwavering support for prohibition. Despite this setback, she remained active in the Democratic Party, campaigning for Al Smith in the 1928 presidential election and serving as vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee after the convention.
Nellie Ross's political career took a new direction when, in 1933, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed her as the director of the U.S. Mint. This appointment marked a historic milestone as Ross became the first woman to hold this position. Despite initial challenges and suspicions between Ross and the Mint's Assistant Director Mary Margaret O'Reilly, the two women eventually developed mutual respect and appreciation for each other's abilities during their time at the U.S. Mint.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2019. “Jeannette Rankin | American Politician.” In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jeannette-Rankin.
Helton, Jennifer. 2019. “Woman Suffrage in the West (U.S. National Park Service).” Nps.gov. 2019. https://www.nps.gov/articles/woman-suffrage-in-the-west.htm
Helton, Jennifer. “How the American West Led the Way for Women in Politics.” Smithsonian.com, August 14, 2020. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-american-west-led-way-women-politics-180975573/.
“Jeannette Rankin (U.S. National Park Service).” 2019. Nps.gov. 2019. https://www.nps.gov/people/jeannette-rankin.htm
“Nellie Tayloe Ross.” 2019. National Governors Association. December 4, 2019. https://www.nga.org/governor/nellie-tayloe-ross/.
“Nellie Tayloe Ross | Governor of Wyoming, United States.” 2023. Encyclopedia Britannica. September 14, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nellie-Tayloe-Ross.
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Soledad C. Chancon,
Soledad Chavez Chacon, born in 1889 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, emerged as a pioneering political figure, becoming the first Hispanic woman in the United States to hold statewide office. In 1922, just two years after women secured the right to vote, she was elected as the Secretary of State in New Mexico, a significant milestone that opened doors for women in public office. Descending from a family of territorial governors and officeholders, Chacon's historic opportunity unfolded in 1924 when Lt. Governor José Baca passed away, leaving her to assume the duties of the governor. This made her the first female Hispanic governor in the nation, steering New Mexico through a brief but groundbreaking period of leadership.
Chacon's political journey began unexpectedly in 1922 when Democratic leaders approached her to accept the nomination for the office of New Mexico Secretary of State. Despite lacking prior experience in public office, her civic-mindedness, community engagement, and political lineage made her a suitable candidate. Chacon's election marked a pivotal moment in New Mexico's history, reflecting the state's transition from one of the most conservative in granting women political power to a period of increased female representation. Her accomplishments paved the way for subsequent women in public service in the state. Chacon's tenure as Secretary of State demonstrated efficiency and dedication, emphasizing professional development and contributing to the broader movement of women entering politics. In a remarkable turn of events in 1924, Chacon temporarily served as New Mexico's acting governor, a first for any woman in the United States, further solidifying her legacy as a trailblazer. Despite her untimely passing in 1936, Soledad Chacon left an indelible mark on the trajectory of women in American politics.
“Soledad Chávez Chacón.” New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program, February 11, 2023. https://www.nmhistoricwomen.org/new-mexico-historic-women/soledad-chavez-chacon/.
“Soledad Chacón.” Wikipedia, July 25, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soledad_Chac%C3%B3n.
Laura J. Kelly Eisenhouth.
Laura J. Kelly Eisenhuth, born in Blenheim, Canada West, later moved to DeWitt, Iowa, with her parents. After attending college, she became a teacher at DeWitt High School. Laura ventured to the Dakota Territory in 1885, filing a pre-emption claim for 160 acres of land near New Rockford. She married Willis Eisenhuth in 1887, and the couple, both former teachers, settled in Carrington. Laura's educational background led her to substitute for a local schoolteacher, marking the beginning of her career in North Dakota education. Elected superintendent of schools for Foster County in 1889, she won reelection the following year. Despite a loss in the 1890 race for North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction, Laura persisted, earning the Democratic Party's endorsement for the same position in 1892, and subsequently winning with 19,078 votes to become the first woman elected to statewide office in the U.S.
As state superintendent, Eisenhuth focused on professional development, conducting teacher training workshops. She advocated for practical improvements like installing bath tubs in schools with water systems and fencing school grounds. However, her more ambitious plans to build and improve schools were hindered by the economic challenges of the Panic of 1893. Additionally, her husband's illness and subsequent return to Pennsylvania for recovery added personal challenges. Despite her impactful tenure, Laura J. Eisenhuth faced defeat in her 1894 reelection bid, but her pioneering efforts paved the way for other women in the Western states to follow suit in subsequent years.
“History: ND Elected First Woman to Be Administrator of a State Office.” 2010. The Bismarck Tribune. April 25, 2010. http://tinyurl.com/yvbc94a7.
“Laura J. Kelly Eisenhuth Alming (1859-1937) -...” n.d. Www.findagrave.com. Accessed December 11, 2023. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58191141/laura-j_-eisenhuth_alming.
How have the political achievements of women in the western United States influenced the current landscape of women in politics, and what ongoing challenges persist in terms of gender equality and representation?
Were there notable differences in the political involvement and priorities of women in the western states compared to women in other regions during key historical periods?