Discover the Legacies of Wyoming Women at Historic Sites & Museums
You may have noticed something interesting about Wyoming’s official state motto. While many other state mottos are in Latin, ours is in English and very straightforward: Equal Rights. Additionally, our state nickname is The Equality State. Why is equality such a key part of Wyoming’s legacy? It all goes back to Women’s suffrage, the movement to grant women equal voting rights. In 1869—more than 20 years before the Wyoming Territory became the 44th state in the Union—Wyoming approved the first law in U.S. history to grant women the right to vote and hold office. Wyoming has been shaped by the legacies of brilliant women who have contributed to the state’s pioneering history and spirit.
Here are a few ways you can explore the important legacies of Wyoming women.
Visit Wyoming Women’s History House
In downtown Laramie, the Wyoming Women’s History House welcomes visitors with a prominent statue of Louisa Gardner Swain. Swain holds the distinction of being the first woman in the world to cast a ballot after Wyoming women gained voting rights in 1870. Her life-sized statue stands in a significant location, just a block from where she made history. To commemorate her legacy, Wyoming designates September 6th as Louisa Swain Day, celebrating the day she cast the first female vote.
Inside, the museum features exhibits on Swain and twelve other influential Wyoming women, including Martha Symon Boies, the nation’s first woman bailiff, and Nellie Tayloe Ross, the first woman elected governor in the U.S. The Wyoming Women’s History House is open Monday to Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., from March 1st to mid-December. For an optimal experience, we recommend visiting in the summer.
Visit the Building Where the State Constitution Was Drafted
Wyoming is fortunate to have a truly remarkable Capitol Building, one of only 20 state capitols designated as a National Historic Landmark. Dating back to 1888, this showcase of architectural grandeur was painstakingly restored in 2019 and remains home to the seat of Wyoming’s executive and legislative branches.
Within its walls, passionate Wyomingites crafted a constitution recognizing equality for all, regardless of sex or race. In 1889, on the Capitol’s second level, women’s suffrage was heavily debated and enshrined in the constitution, solidifying rights already enjoyed by Wyoming women since 1869. This vision made Wyoming the first state in the nation to affirm women’s rights to vote, hold office, and serve on juries.
Today, you can experience Wyoming’s history firsthand with self-guided tours available Monday–Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Visit the Statue of Esther Hobart Morris
Louise Gardner Swain isn’t the only prominent Wyoming woman immortalized for future generations. At the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne, you can visit a statue of Esther Hobart Morris, a pivotal figure in suffrage history. Morris became the first woman to hold political office in the United States when she served as South Pass City’s justice of the peace. Her tenure, though brief at eight and a half months, saw her handle 26 cases, earning her recognition as a pioneer during Wyoming’s 1890 statehood celebration. This statue mirrors the one in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.
South Pass City, where Morris’s journey began, is home to significant suffrage history. Today, you can tour many of the city’s 23 original buildings, including the E.A. Slack structure. This building, once home to Morris’s son’s newspaper shop, now exhibits the local and national history of suffrage.
See the Work of a Pioneering Librarian
Head to the University of Wyoming in Laramie to check out the American Heritage Center. Located within the Centennial Complex alongside the University of Wyoming Art Museum, it’s home to a fascinating collection highlighting the history of the West. This collection was initiated by Dr. Grace Raymond Hebard, who served as the university’s librarian in the early 20th century. Her work resulted in an extensive archive encompassing Native American history, the origins of women’s suffrage, and other key aspects of Wyoming’s heritage. Among its treasures are the papers of other significant Wyoming women, including Nellie Tayloe Ross.
Drive 19 Miles Dedicated to America’s 19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, granting all American women the right to vote, was ratified in 1920—over 50 years after Wyoming passed its Women’s Suffrage Act. Today, you can commemorate this milestone by driving the Wyoming Women’s Suffrage Pathway, a 19-mile stretch of Wyoming Highway 28. The route begins near South Pass City because of the town’s contribution to women’s suffrage in Wyoming.
Pay Tribute to a True Trailblazer & Pathfinder
One of the most famous women in American history, Sacajawea was a Shoshone woman who served as a vital guide for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Sacajawea facilitated their journey from the Dakotas to the Pacific Ocean, significantly contributing to the exploration and expansion of the United States. She has since been immortalized on the golden dollar coin, and is buried in Fort Washakie on the Wind River Indian Reservation, nestled within the Rockies to Tetons region.
Sacajawea’s Gravesite, marked by a beautiful monument and a memorial statue, reflects her profound influence on world history. While visiting, you can also explore the Eastern Shoshone Tribal Cultural Center to learn more about the rich culture and history through artifacts and artwork.
Meet the Cowgirls of the Cowboy State
Wyoming isn’t just the Equality State, it’s also the Cowboy State. This well-earned legacy as the last bastion of the Wild West wouldn’t be possible without the contributions of many cowgirls: Annie Oakley, Mary Carter, Ruth Roach and Dell Burke—just to name a few. To learn more about these women, you can explore their history at the Cowgirls of the West Museum & Emporium, a non-profit volunteer museum that offers free admission. The museum is open for visitors from Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Don’t miss their adjacent shop, where you can purchase a variety of Western jewelry, art, collectibles and more.
Color in the Characters of History
Traveling with someone young (or young at heart)? For an extra-fun way to learn about the trailblazing women of Wyoming, you can print off pages from this coloring book (PDF) created to celebrate the 150th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Wyoming. With luminaries spanning from 1836 to 2017—from Narcissa Whitman to Affie Ellis—the book features just a few of the many women who have made the Equality State what it is today.
Explore Women’s History at the Wyoming State Museum
Wyoming’s identity as the Equality State is central to both our history and culture. To explore this rich heritage, visit the free Wyoming State Museum, located in Cheyenne’s Barrett Building near the State Capitol. You can also begin your learning journey with their online exhibit, Suffrage Wyoming.
Meet Today’s Women Leaders
The women of Wyoming have always been vital to the state’s development, both historically and in the present day. Due to our small population and challenging landscape, women have long been essential to the workforce. Women now hold key leadership positions in business and drive innovation across all sectors. There are many thriving women-owned businesses in Wyoming, and you can build an itinerary dedicated to visiting them as you travel the state. Here are six women-owned businesses where you can begin your exploration.
