Let’s Recognize Arizona’s Trailblazing Women
All citizens and residents of the United States should celebrate the myriad contributions of American women to this state, America and the world. On March 8, women across the globe celebrated International Women’s Day, a commenoration that has lasted for nearly 100 years. In the U.S., the entire month of March has been designated as Women’s History Month. During this time we are called upon to honor the history and life of women in America and throughout world, and to reflect upon the contemporary status of women and their fundamental civil, political and economic rights. Women’s History Month began as Women’s History Week in Sonoma County, California in 1978. In 1981, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) sponsored a congressional resolution that created national Women’s History Week, and in 1987, Congress expanded the week to an entire month.
Most celebrations and commemorations of Women’s History Month focus on the aspirations and accomplishmets of distingushed women who have made their mark at the national and internationa levels. Many who celebrate and participate in Women’s History Month activities will surely invoke names such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojouner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Friedan, Dolores Huerta, Gloria Steinem, Tonita Pena and other well known women. Yet, despite their immeasurable and unmistakable contribution to Arizona, America and the world, Arizona women usually do not receive the recognition they deserve, even in Arizona itself. I believe, therefore, that we must all pause to acknowledge the intellienge, courage, determination, creativity and compassion that Arizona women have demonstrated, often against overwhelming odds, throughout this state’s history.
Inspired by a passion for freedom, self-determination and equality, women in Arizona have helped shaped this state from its infancy. Beginning in 1897, Elizabeth Hudson Smith of Wickenburg emerged as one of the wealthiest (black) entrepreneurs in the southwest. In 1909, Sharlot Hall became the Territorial Historian and the first woman to hold territorial office. Due largely to the grass roots activism of Arizona suffragists, the state was among the first to extend the franchise to women in 1912. Two years later, Francis Willard Munds of Yavapai County became the second woman in America to be elected to a state senate. Arizona women formed model mutual aid and philanthropic societies during the Great Depression and World Wars I and II, to ameliorate the social and financial stresses of economic devastation and war. Of particular note are the women who served as pistons of the region’s Civil Rights Movement: Opal Ellis, Thomasena Grigsby, Fran Waldman, Madge Copland, Ruth Finn, Eleanor Ragsdale and many others. These tenacious women led the way in securing victories for racial justice in Phoenix, sometimes in advance of national milestones in civil rights.
Their activism, the wisdom of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner, the fortitude of Arizona only black legislator, Leah Landrum Taylor, the confidence of our three female governors, Rose Mofford (1987-1991), Jane Dee Hull (1997-2003) and Janet Napolitano (2003-present), the heroism of Army Pfc. Lori Piestewa, the selflessness of nationally know activists, educators and philanthropists such as Betty and Jean Fairfax, and the literary accomplishments of celebrated writers such as Jewell Rhodes and Stella Pope Duarte, have all helped make Arizona one of the most dynamic states in the U.S., and the U.S. one the most promising nations in the world. Their legacy should inspire all of us to do whatever we can to demonstrate our appreciation by bearing the torch of freedom, progress and prosperity that they set ablaze.
Dr. Matthew C. Whitaker, a Phoenician native, is Assistant Professor of History at Arizona State University in Tempe. He is also an affiliate faculty in African and African American Studies and the School of Justice and Social Inquiry at ASU. He is also Co-Owner and CEO of The Whitaker Group, L.L.C., a consulting firm specializing in diversity and educational curriculum and instruction training.
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