Wyoming Women's Suffrage Leaders
Though lovingly referred to as the "Cowboy State,” Wyoming’s true nickname is the "Equality State.” And for good reason. On December 10, 1869, Wyoming passed the first unconditional law in the U.S. permanently guaranteeing women their inherent right to vote and hold office, in addition to being home to other firsts for women throughout history.
The first female to cast a vote after being granted universal suffrage, where this right was maintained in perpetuity, did so in Wyoming’s small town of Laramie a full 50 years before women could vote in the rest of the nation. The first female governor was elected in Wyoming and the nation's first woman to be appointed to public office was done so in South Pass City, Wyoming. In addition, the Equality State is also the home to the first female jurors, the world's first female bailiff and the first town that was governed entirely by women.
When invited to join the Union only if women’s suffrage was revoked, Wyoming’s legislature said, “We will remain out of the Union one hundred years rather than come in without the women.” In 1890, Wyoming became the 44th state... with the women.
Discover the legacies of Wyoming Women at these historic sites and museums.
Wyoming's women experience the wild west with power and confidence. Feel the raw capability of each women's talents in Jackson Hole's video.
State of Equality: WyomingPBS Special
Coming in December to WyomingPBS, the State of Equality explores Wyoming as the first state to guarantee women their inherent right to vote and hold office. Colorful frontier characters, a volatile mix of motives, and the caprice of history drive this story of a neglected chapter in America’s past.
UW Suffrage Celebration
The University of Wyoming will host a variety of women's suffrage events throughout the winter. Please visit their events below.
Learn MoreIn 2019, Wyoming will celebrate the 150th anniversary of women's suffrage in the state. To celebrate, we're deeming 2019 the Year of Wyoming Women. To this day the ladies of Wyoming continue a strong legacy of female empowerment and leadership, pushing boundaries to live out their dreams. Explore the stories of these inspiring Wyoming women.
Share your own stories with us on social media using #ThatsWYwomen.
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Lindsay Linton Buk
Lindsay is an artist, photographer and fifth-generation native of Wyoming whose latest project, Women in Wyoming, tells the stories of and celebrates the achievements, power and learned wisdom of contemporary Wyoming women through art and media.
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Jill Winger
Jill Winger is the voice behind The Prairie Homestead blog and is passionate about helping folks from all walks of life learn how to grow and prepare delicious food and embrace old-fashioned skills.
Amber Pollock
Amber and her family started Backwards Distillery to create quality, locally-crafted spirits to share with their community. Striving to put Wyoming distillers on the map, this distillery co-owner helped found the Wyoming Distillers Guild and is currently the organization’s president.
Rebecca Walsh
Rebecca shares her love for the outdoors with women who didn’t grow up camping and hiking, breaking down barriers by giving women the skills and knowledge needed to get outside. In the community she built, all shapes, sizes, ethnicities and outdoor experience levels are welcome.
Cara Libatore
Cara is a rock climber and Wyoming mountain guide who fell in love with the Tetons as a teenager. When her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and when she later faced the same cancer herself, she dealt with it the only way she knew how: by climbing, harnessing the healing power within Wyoming’s wildest places.
Jessie Allen
Jessie spent her childhood playing outside, working with her hands and riding horses to the creek on her family's guest ranch. Now, as ranch manager of Allen’s Diamond 4 Ranch, this former Miss Wyoming is proud to run a business that provides meaningful experiences for people all over the world.
Brought to you by ThinkWY | Wyoming Humanities
First, But Last Podcast series focuses on Wyoming Women "Firsts" and Challenges us to think how can we do more to advance women in Wyoming.
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From restaurants and distilleries to museums and inns, many of Wyoming's businesses are run be female entrepeneurs. Take a look at the listings below to see some of the women-owned businesses and locations highlighting women's history in the Equality State.
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More information on how to get your community, business or organization involved in Wyoming's women's suffrage celebration, is available on our industry site.
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