Category Archives: Women in History

“The Fayr Bryght Shynynge Scalyd Fysshes”: How to Fish with Dame Juliana Berners

Izaak Walton’s 17th century book, The Complete Angler (1653), has gone down in history as one of the most famous treatises on fish and fishing. However, it was not the first of its kind. That honor goes to Dame Juliana … Continue reading

Posted in Feminism, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized, Women in History, Women in Publishing, Women Writers, women's history | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Edith “Jackie” Ronne – Antarctica’s First Lady

Edith “Jackie” Ronne didn’t plan to spend fifteen months on an Antarctic research expedition. But when her husband Finn Ronne mounted a privately financed exploration of the southern continent, Jackie found herself drawn steadily—and then decisively—into the venture. Born in … Continue reading

Posted in Explorers, Uncategorized, Women Adventurers, Women in History | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Territory Girl, Statehood Pioneer: Mary Godat Bellamy’s Wyoming Story

Imagine hearing the actual voice of someone who watched Civil War soldiers march past her childhood home, then lived to see the atomic age. That’s exactly what you can experience with Mary Godat Bellamy’s 1947 recordings—a remarkable audio document from … Continue reading

Posted in Collections Highlights, Oral history, Uncategorized, Women in History, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Olive Clapper: At the Center of 20th Century Politics and Peace Efforts

Few individuals witnessed and participated in pivotal 20th century events as intimately as Olive Ewing Clapper (1896-1968). Born in Kansas City and educated at the University of Kansas, Olive married her childhood sweetheart Raymond Clapper in 1913 after they eloped … Continue reading

Posted in Biography and profiles, Humanitarianism, Journalism, Literature, Radio and Broadcasting, Uncategorized, Women in History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

1926 Revisited: Nellie Tayloe Ross, First Woman Governor, Wins Again?

Picture this: It’s a crisp autumn day in 1926, and Wyoming’s capitol building in Cheyenne is buzzing with excitement. Election results are trickling in, and against all odds, Nellie Tayloe Ross has just secured a second term as governor. The … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Women in History, Women in Politics, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Friendship in the Books

For dearest Olga—who knows, loves and writes books—from a kindred soul with love and admiration. Ishbel Ross. Christmas 1964, inscription in An American Family: The Tafts, 1678 to 1964. For Olga Arnold—dear and understanding friend. Devotedly, Ishbel Ross. Christmas 1967, … Continue reading

Posted in Authors and literature, Biography and profiles, Book Category, Journalism, Uncategorized, Women in History, Women Writers, women's history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Nellie Tayloe Ross: The (First) Governor Lady

On Nov 4, 1924, Nellie Tayloe Ross was elected governor of Wyoming, and became the first woman governor in the United States. Ross was elected a month after her husband, Governor William B. Ross, died suddenly of appendicitis. On the … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, Ross, Nellie Tayloe, western politics and leadership, Women in History, Women in Politics, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Elizabeth Orpha Sampson Hoyt, Notable Woman of the West

Born December 7, 1828 in Athens, Ohio to an adventurous father and a pragmatic mother, Elizabeth Sampson early on displayed qualities of both parents. A letter to Grace Raymond Hebard from Elizabeth’s son Kepler tells a delightful story from his … Continue reading

Posted in Biography and profiles, Uncategorized, University of Wyoming, University of Wyoming history, Women in History, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Documenting Women’s Roles in Hollywood

Film and television entertains us all and are significant to American culture.  Whether through comedy, drama, or music, perspectives of our culture can be studied by observing what entertained us in the past.  The American Heritage Center’s vast entertainment collections … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment history, Film History, television history, Uncategorized, Women in History, Women in Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The 19th Amendment and Wyoming’s own Grace Raymond Hebard

“To get thirty sixth state, mobilizing one woman each state…want you and only you…” So wrote national woman suffrage leader Carrie Chapman Catt on April 12, 1920 in a telegram to Wyoming historian, prolific writer, and noted University of Wyoming … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Women -- suffrage, Women in History, women's history, Women's suffrage, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment