In 1848, suffragists began their organized fight for women’s equality when they demanded the right to vote during the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York. For the next 72 years, women leaders lobbied, marched, picketed and protested for the right to the ballot.
The U.S. House of Representatives finally approved the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote, on May 21, 1919. The U.S. Senate followed two weeks later, and the 19th Amendment went to the states. Tennessee became the last state needed to ratify on August 18, 1920.
Today, more than 68 million women vote in elections because of the courageous suffragists who never gave up the fight for equality.
Early Texas women fought for more than the right to vote. Long before they stepped into the ballot box, they led explorers across rivers and forests, helped preserve great swaths of land, protected the state’s flora and fauna and tamed the wilderness. The land was wild, but they were wilder.
To honor them and the suffragettes, we chose (through an exhaustive process) 20 women of Texas conservation to feature in our 2020 issues. We called them Wild Women.
Before we introduce you to the remarkable women we’ve introduced since January, how about a sneak peek at our October Wild Women?
Two more issues to go. Five more Wild Women to
make 20 heroes for 2020. Who do you think our next Wild Women should be? Hint:
November is a big month for politics….
Here’s a look back on the truly remarkable Texas women we’ve featured so far in 2020. Click to read and learn more about these independent, determined souls who bucked the constraints of their times to forge ahead fearlessly conserving Texas, each in their own unique way.
Angelina, early Native American guide, and Big Thicket
savior Maxine (Mickey) Johnston
19th century botanists Ynes Mexia and Maude Jeannie Young
Sharpshooter Plinky Topperwein and circus empresario Mollie Bailey
The mother of the Panhandle, Molly Goodnight, and the patron saint of black bears, Bonnie McKinney
Ila Fox Loetscher (the turtle lady of South Padre, Connie Hagar (the bird lady of Rockport), ChristineFiggener (plastic straws and turtles),
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