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.

On September 6, 1870, in Laramie, Wyoming, Louisa Swain became the first woman in the world to cast an electoral ballot (50 years before women in the rest of the nation could vote) under laws giving women full civil and political equality with men. These same laws were never changed even as Wyoming was admitted to the Union in 1890.

And those weren't the only female firsts that took place in Wyoming. 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 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When invited to join the Union only if women’s suffrage was revoked, Wyoming’s legislature said, “We will remain out of the Union one hundred years rather than come in without the women.”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.

In 2019, Wyoming celebrated the 150th anniversary of women's suffrage in the state. On September 6, 2020, Wyoming will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Laramie's Louisa Swain becoming the first woman in the world to cast an electoral ballot. 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.

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.