As many Coloradoans know March is Women’s History month. Here are several women who have not only influenced Colorado and its history (or should we say HERSTORY!), but also changed the course of the United States, both in the distant past and the modern age. These women have influenced everything from politics and women’s rights to farming and hunting.
One modern Colorado women who changed the course of politics was Patricia Schroeder. While some may not agree with her staunch democratic stance, there is no denying the influence she had during 6 terms in Congress. One of Schroeder’s many accomplishments was helping the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act to be passed.
In the pioneer era Colorado women had to be just as tough, if not tougher than the men around them. Martha Maxwell was nicknamed the “Colorado Huntress” after moving with her husband to Colorado in 1860. She made frequent hunting and camping trips into the Colorado wilderness, many times alone for days. She made her mark by founding the Rocky Mountain Museum to display her taxidermy.
As the great west began to be claimed and settled, women still had one large claim ahead, that of equal rights. Caroline Churchill created her own newspaper in 1872 to keep local women aware of their rights. As she wrote she pushed for education for young women and pensions for mothers with children. Women in Colorado received equal rights in 1893 in large part due to Caroline’s writing.
Could you or your daughter be the next great Colorado women to change history?
Check out the library calendar of events for some great programs this month – The Flirtacious Victorian, Ladies of Lace, Rosie the Riveter and a special book discussion “Riding Freedom”, the courageous story of the first woman voter in the U.S.
Some great reference material:
http://www.explore-old-west-colorado.com/Colorado-Pioneer-Women.html
Lamm: The most influential women in Colorado history, www.DenverPost.com/opinion
Another good reference is on the AnswerCache eResources page.
Photo: http://www.explore-old-west-colorado.com/Caroline-Churchill.html