Tales from Utah Valley: It’s Women’s History Month! Let’s celebrate
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- A miniature replica of a statue to honor a groundbreaking state senator was on display on the floor of the Utah House of Representatives Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, in Salt Lake City. Cannon joined the Utah Senate in 1896, becoming the first woman in the nation elected to a state Senate.
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- BYU students Lindsay Shimanek (left) and Grace Poulson (right) with vintage 1972 hats designed to encourage youth voters. In the background is a cutout of Seraph Young — the first woman to vote in Utah territory and the United States (1870) under women’s suffrage laws.
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- The Provo Women’s Day event in 2020.
Rick Bowmer, Associated Press
A miniature replica of a statue to honor a groundbreaking state senator was on display on the floor of the Utah House of Representatives Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, in Salt Lake City. Cannon joined the Utah Senate in 1896, becoming the first woman in the nation elected to a state Senate.
Did you know that Utah schoolteacher Seraph Young was the first woman in the United States to vote under a women’s equal suffrage law in 1870? An 125 years ago, Utahn Dr. Martha Hughes Cannon made history as the country’s first female state senator. Have you heard about Rosalia Ellen Cox, who lived from 1846-1924? She ran a millinery shop, operated a telegraph office and helped to maintain the first library in Pleasant Grove, during a time when women typically did not run businesses.
March is Women’s History Month, a time to learn about and celebrate the many stories and contributions of women. Having this month set aside gives us the opportunity to read, hear and learn more about the many women who came before us.
According to http://womenshistory.gov, Women’s History Month originated as a national celebration in 1981 when the week beginning March 7, 1982, was proclaimed “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating March as “Women’s History Month.”
So, how can we celebrate and honor Women’s History Month? Reading is one way. There are a variety of children’s books that tell stories of women who did extraordinary things. “She Persisted” by Chelsea Clinton, “Wilma Unlimited” by Kathleen Krull, “Before She Was Harriett” by Lesa Cline-Ransome and “Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909” by Michelle Markel are just a few.
Learning about local women in history is not only interesting, but can help us feel connected to our roots. Over the next few weeks, Pleasant Grove’s Historic Preservation Commission will be posting stories on social media about local historic women who made their mark. The aforementioned Rosalia Ellen Cox is one of them.
Courtesy BYU
BYU students Lindsay Shimanek (left) and Grace Poulson (right) with vintage 1972 hats designed to encourage youth voters. In the background is a cutout of Seraph Young — the first woman to vote in Utah territory and the United States (1870) under women’s suffrage laws.
On the Utah Women’s History website, the nonprofit Better Days shares stories about Utah’s standout women through history. Activities and educational content can also be found there.
“As we celebrate and learn about these historical events, the sacrifices and commitment of Utah’s strong women in the past will inspire Utah’s strong women of today. We envision a bright future for Utah as women become more engaged participants in our communities. As in the past, the passionate involvement of women and men working together to elevate women’s status will bring about better days for Utah,” it reads on the site.
Whether reading, learning or teaching about women through history, one sure way to celebrate Women’s History Month is to make history ourselves: Do something kind, run for office, volunteer in the schools, write our own personal history, create artwork, donate time to helping and advocating for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, work at a local food pantry, be a mom, grandma, favorite aunt and friend.
The Provo Women's Day event in 2020.
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