INDUCTEES
Accomazzo,
Betty (1926-1989) Ranch woman from Laveen, had a very strong commitment
to documenting the history of Arizona ranching people. She compiled and
edited seven volumes of the Arizona National Ranch Histories of Living
Pioneer Stockman.
Aguirre, Mary Bernard (1844-1906) Educator;
one of the earliest “American” public school teachers in Tucson,
1870’s; first teacher of Spanish at the University of Arizona;
wrote important documentary on her travels in the Southwest. Bartlett,
Katharine (1907-2001)Katharine Bartlett was involved with the Museum of
Northern Arizona (MNA) for sixty years and helped shape it into an internationally
recognized museum and research center. She began working at the newly
created Museum in 1930 after completing her Masters Degree in Anthropology.
She served as the Curator for Anthropology from 1930 to 1953, during
a time when women in archaeological professions were relatively rare,
then as the Curator of Books and Records from 1953-1975. She established
cataloging and preservation guidelines and techniques for the archeological
and ethnological specimens being accessioned into the fast growing MNA
collections. Her guidelines became a model for others in the state with
similar materials. Her breadth of knowledge included diverse are as such
as archeology, Hopi and Navajo ethnology, the history of Spanish exploration
in the Southwest, and Native American craft arts. She published over
50 articles between 1928 and 1981 and became a major contributor to the
literature on Arizona’s native Americans, past and present.Berry,
Rachel Emma Allen (1859-1948) Legislator; first woman State
Representative elected in Arizona and in U.S., 1914; first Apache
County Chairperson of the Child Welfare Board; active in LDS Relief
Societies. Bevan, Jessie Gray (1872-1963)Born
in South Cottonwood, Utah in 1872, the daughter of Scottish immigrants,
Jessie Gray Bevan moved to Arizona in 1903. Raised on the family
homestead and educated in Utah, she graduated from Westminister College
and did two years of post-graduate work at the University of Utah. Birchett,
Guess Eleanor (1881-1979) Ornithologist; known as “The Bird Lady” of
Tempe; established a federally certified bird hospital in 1940; active
conservationist and leader in city beautification efforts.
Boehringer,
C. Louise (1878-1956)Often called “the mother of the Arizona educational
system” Louise Boehringer devoted her life to obtaining better education
for all Arizona students by continuously striving to improve the quality
of the state’s educational system. Her contributions to Arizona as
a writer, educator, feminist and legislator created a lasting legacy for
future generations of working women. Her dedication to civic and educational
organizations leaves an indelible mark on the state.
Botzum,
Clara Osborne (1894-1986) Legislator; State Representative,
1943-1950, 1959-1962; largely responsible for having Parker bridge
built over Colorado River, 1937, rededicated in her honor, 1979;
helped develop Northern Yuma County agricultural cooperative;
received Arizona Senate Spirit of Arizona Award, 1983. Bourne,
Eulalia "Sister" (1897-1984) Teacher, author and
rancher; taught at rural Southern Arizona schools, 1914-1957;
one of the earliest teachers to experiment with bilingual education;
named Outstanding Arizona Author, 1983; author of Woman in Levi’s
and other popular works. Brown,
Polly Hicks (1883-1966) Cattlewoman; Payson entrepreneur;
epitomized Western womanhood as seamstress and wrangler; rodeo
queen at age 82. Bush, Nellie T.
(1888-1963) Legislator; state legislator for sixteen years;
Arizona’s first licensed riverboat pilot, given honorary commission
as “admiral of Arizona’s navy”; a founder of Parker, Arizona;
lawyer; a founder of Arizona’s Children’s Colony; leader in women’s
club activities. Cashman, Nellie
(1844-1925) Businesswoman, prospector; grubstaked many miners;
known as “The Miners’ Angel”; raised funds for Tombstone’s first
Roman Catholic Church; a humanitarian whose main interest in life
was service to people. Chapella,
Grace (1874-1980) Potter; Native American woman who carried
out the traditions of her art in a long, active life; first Tewa-Hopi
potter to individualize her work by signature; known as the “White
Pottery Lady.”
Clark,
Sister Kathleen (1919-2003) Sister Kathleen Clark received numerous community and national awards for her work with neglected and abused children. In 1978 she received the National Jefferson Award for the greatest public service benefiting local communities and in July 1988, Newsweek Magazine recognized her as one of America’s Unsung Heroes. Her community awards included Woman of the Year from the City of Tucson (1974), the Service to Mankind Award (1976), Distinguished Citizen Award from the U of A Alumni Association (1976), Woman of the Year (1984), Spirit of Arizona Award (1984), Myer Marmis Humanitarian Award (1985).
Coleman, Vernell
(1918-1990) Community advocate known as Mother Coleman;
initiated revival of Juneteenth observance in Phoenix, 1968, to
promote this celebration of the emancipation of slaves in U.S.;
helped found St. Mary’s Food Bank; served on many social agency
boards in Phoenix; received numerous awards including Arizona
State Senate Spirit of Arizona Award, 1988. Colter,
Mary Elizabeth Jane (1869-1956) Architect; first female
apprentice-trained architect in the U.S.; architect for the Fred
Harvey Company from 1902-1948; designed and decorated many Harvey
buildings at the Grand Canyon; developed the “natural architecture” philosophy. Colton,
Mary Russell Ferrell (1889-1971) Artist, writer and specialist
in Indian arts and crafts; Curator of Art and Ethnology at the
Northern Arizona Museum where many shows and exhibits she organized
continue to this day as annual events. Crawford,
Cordelia Adams (1865-1943) Nurse; arrived with her father
and the first wagon train of permanent settlers to what is now
Phoenix; made “errands of mercy” to ranches in Central Arizona;
developed a special relationship with Apache women whose sick
children she nursed. D'Autremont,
Helen Congdon (1889-1966) Philanthropist; a founder and
first president of League of Women Voters in Arizona; an original
director of Tucson Medical Center; board member of numerous Tucson
civic organizations; named Tucson Woman of the Year, 1962, for
work in field of interracial housing. Douglas,
Margaret Bell (1880-1963) Botanist and conservationist;
internationally recognized for horticultural achievements; Phoenix
cultural and community leader; co-founder of the Desert Botanical
Garden. Elias, Eulalia (1788-1865) Rancher;
19th century frontier woman from wealth Mexican family; during
territorial days managed Arizona’s first major cattle raising
operation which was part of family’s land empire. Evans,
Jessie Benton (1866-1954) Artist and cultural leader; internationally
recognized landscape painter; leader in the early Arizona art
community. Fly, Mary "Mollie" E.(1847-1925) Photographer;
early Tombstone portrait photographer and entrepreneur; recognized
historic significance of husband C.S. Fly’s photographs of Geronimo
and his followers, published Scenes in Geronimo’s Camp in 1904. Frohmiller,
Ana (1891-1971) Government officer; Arizona State Auditor
for 24 years, 1927-1950; first woman to seek office of governor
in Arizona; founding secretary and treasurer of Southwest Savings
and Loan Association. Goldwater,
Josephine W. (1875-1966) Nurse and philanthropist; among
the first registered nurses in Arizona Territory; nursed tuberculosis
patients in the Sunnyslope “Tent City” when no one else would;
inspired by her philanthropy the town of Show low, Arizona dedicated
Josephine Goldwater Hospital, 1961. Guenther,
Minnie K. (1890-1982) Missionary; major force in establishing
regular education, medical care and improved living conditions
among the Apache; named Arizona and American Mother of the year,
1967. Hall, Sharlot (1870-1943) Writer;
poet and historian; appointed Arizona Territorial Historian, 1909-1912;
leader in Arizona Pioneers Association; led the restoration of
the old Governor’s Mansion in Prescott between 1929 and 1942,
the adjoining museum of which was named in her honor; Sharlot
Hall Museum. Hamilton, Lucretia
Breazeale (1908-1986)Born in East Falls Church, Virginia on March 27, 1908,
Lucretia Breazeale moved to Arizona with her family in 1920 when her father
accepted a position at the Sacaton USDA Experiment Station on the Pima
Indian Reservation. In 1922, the Breazeales moved to Tucson where
Lucretia finished grammar school, graduated from high school and attended
the University of Arizona. She majored in botany and minored in art,
becoming a botanical laboratory assistant. Even as a college student,
her prowess in botanical illustrating helped other students to understand
the field of view in their microscopes. She graduated with a B.S.
in botany in 1932. Hammer, Angela Hutchinson
(1870-1955) Newspaper publisher; moved to Arizona in 1883;
pioneered and piloted numerous papers in the state beginning around
the turn of the century; first woman elected to Arizona Newspaper
Hall of Fame, 1965. Hance, Margaret
Taylor (1923-1990) First woman mayor of Phoenix; prime mover
behind downtown redevelopment and Phoenix Mountain Preserve; tireless
community volunteer and civic leader; prominent member of national
Republican party. Hayden, Sallie
Davis (1842-1907) Ranch wife; mother of the first Anglo
child born in the Salt River Valley; trustee of the Tempe School
District; Vice-President of the Arizona Equal Suffrage Association;
hosted many important “Valley” visitors in her home, “Hayden Guest
Ranch.” Heard, Maie Bartlett (1868-1951) Philanthropist;
co-founder of the Heard Museum, Phoenix, in 1928; a founder of
Friendly House, Phoenix in 1920; founder of what became the community
Chest; built and equipped the first YWCA gym in 1925; outstanding
public activity in helping to build Phoenix. Herron,
Laura E. (1892-1966) Physical education teacher; moved to
Phoenix in 1931; head of Phoenix College’s women’s physical education
program, 1937-1963; first woman to hold U.S. official post in
charge of track and field women’s teams, 1928 Olympics; “midwife” of
City of Phoenix’ recreational program. Hopkins,
Hallie B.0 (1885-1978) Businesswoman; formed and operated
own trucking company; for 25 years hauled Yuma County produce
to market, contributing significantly to vitality of area agricultural
growth. Hughes, Josephine Brawley
(1839-1926) Newspaper publisher/feminist; co-founder, Arizona
Daily Star, 1879; opened first Territorial girls’ school; instrumental
in founding and first president, Arizona branch of Woman’s Christian
Temperance Union and Arizona Suffrage Association; achievements
are honored with plaque in Arizona State Capitol Museum. Jimulla,
Viola (1878-1966) Yavapai Tribal Chieftess; communicator
between Native and Anglo cultures; renowned weaver; a founder
of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Prescott; instrumental in deeding
tribal land for Prescott’s first college. Johnson,
Ann-Eve Mansfeld (1908-1981) Civic leader; native Tucsonan;
pioneer in historic preservation movement in Arizona; volunteer
leadership in children’s welfare and politics; chosen Dona de
la Casa (outstanding woman in history in Arizona), 1976. Johnson,
Veora (1910-2001) An educator and humanitarian, was the
first Black woman in Arizona to hold administrative credentials
in education and was the principal of Booker T. Washington Elementary
School for thirty years. In 1985, Arizona State University awarded
her the Medallion of Excellence for her outstanding and significant
contribution to the first century of Arizona’s public education. Keith,
Abbie W. (1888-1984) Editor; creator of Arizona Cattlelog
for Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association, providing means of communication
for isolated ranch families, 1923-1963; health service volunteer
and political activist. Kerr, Louise
Lincoln (1892-1977) Known in Arizona as the “Grand Lady
of Music; charter violinist with the Phoenix Symphony; leading
patron of the arts; produced over 100 works ranging from solos
to full orchestral pieces; bequeathed her former home and studio
to Arizona State University, now known as the Kerr Cultural Center. King,
Isabella Greenway (1886-1953) Arizona’s first congresswoman,
serving two terms and declining a third in 1937; built and operated
the Arizona Inn in Tucson, among her other many entrepreneurial
and philanthropic projects in Southern Arizona. Kitt,
Edith Stratton (1878-1968) Arizona historian; born in Florence,
Arizona; executive secretary of The Arizona Pioneers’ Historical
Society, 1925-1947; made the Society’s library one of the top
research centers in the Southwest; named “First Lady of Arizona’s
Territorial Centennial,” 1963. Linde,
Jessie Harper (1887-1965) Impresario; arts promoter who
tirelessly worked to improve cultural facilities and arts programming
in Phoenix. Lockett, Hattie Greene
(1880-1962) Sheeprancher; early conservationist; pioneer
school teacher in Scottsdale; founder and charter member of many
civic organizations; authored Unwritten Literature of the Hopis. Lockwood,
Lorna (1903-1977) Lawyer; legislator and judge; the first
female State Supreme Court Chief Justice in the history of the
United States; contributed greatly to delinquency control and
mental health legislation; Regional Director of the National Business
and Professional Women’s club, exemplifying her many national
and local organizational involvements. Ethel
Maynard (1905-1980)
Born in Waterbury, Connecticut on November 23, 1905, Ethel Reed Maynard
moved to Arizona in 1946. She had trained as a Registered Nurse in the
Bellevue and Allied Hospital in Harlem and then worked for 18 years as
a public health nurse in the city. She married Dr. Aubre de L.
Maynard and had one daughter. After moving
to Tucson in 1946, she began a job as school nurse that lasted until 1971. She
also became a community activist, serving as vice president of the civil
rights organization, Tucson Council for Civic Unity, which like its Phoenix
counterpart, the Greater Phoenix Council for Civic Unity, worked for desegregation
of schools, public facilities and employment. After civil rights
measures became law, Maynard served as a member of the 1968 Tucson Commission
on Human Relations that monitored integration of public facilities, employment,
and housing. McGee,
Patricia Ann (1926-1994)Granddaughter of Chieftess Viola Jimulla, led
the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe as president for 20 years. She
followed the family tradition of serving her people by helping the tribe
to advance economically while retaining their culture.
Montgomery,
Winona E. (1898-1990) Educator for 40 years; developed tenure
and retirement system on behalf of Arizona’s teachers; championed
for all of Arizona’s senior citizens; educated legislators on
important issues to aid the elderly; appointed by Governor Jack
Williams as a delegate to the state White House Conference on
Aging at Arizona State University where she was honored as Arizona’s
Outstanding Older American, 1971. Munds,
Frances Lillian Willard (1866-1948) Suffragette; Arizona
champion of women’s suffrage; in 1914 first woman State Senator
elected in Arizona (second in U.S.); secretary of the first state
suffrage organization; leader of victorious suffrage campaign
in Arizona in 1912 when women won the vote. Nampeyo
(1860-1942) Potter; began revival of
prehistoric Sikyatki style pottery, 1885-1920; credited with birth of contemporary
Hopi pottery and stylistic design. Neal,
Amy Cornwall (1888-1972) Ranch wife/Civic Affairs; born in Wikieup,
Arizona; helped establish Mohave County Fair, 1946; first president and
founder of the Mohave County Cowbelles, 1947; a founder of the Daughters
of Mohave County Pioneers, 1958; a founder of the Mohave Museum of History
and Art, 1960. Oldaker, Elizabeth
S. (1884-1975) Museum
founder; founded Arizona Museum in 1923; leader in historic preservation
movement in early Phoenix; founding member of First Families of Arizona. Orme,
Minna Vrang (1892-1970) School founder; co-founded Orme School in
1929, a nationally recognized preparatory school with a unique southwestern
tradition; inspired students with ideals of knowledge, discipline and traditional
values. Otero, Sister Clara (1850-1905) Educator;
one of the first Mexican-American women to join the Sisters of St. Joseph
of Carondelet, a nursing and teaching order which founded hospitals and
schools throughout Arizona. Post, Mary
Elizabeth (1841-1934) Multi-lingual teacher for 41 years; leader
of the women’s
movement into politics; organized the first woman’s club in Yuma; founder
and member of the board of the Carnegie Library in Yuma; served as interpreter
for the Courts, the Reclamation Service, and the Spanish-speaking priests;
Yuma’s Mary E. Post Elementary School was named in her honor. Quoyawayma,
Polingayshi (Elisabeth Q. White) (1892-1990) Pioneer for intercultural
relations between Hopi and Anglo cultures; educator, author, and potter;
noted hostess to hundreds of early auto travelers to Hopi country. Redbird,
Ida (1892-1971) Master potter of the
Maricopas; instrumental in the 1937-1940 Maricopa pottery revival; first
president of Maricopa Pottery Makers Association; translator and informant
for Leslie Spier’s Yuma Tribes of the Gila River, thus helping to preserve
her American Indian heritage. Reinhold,
Ruth (1902-1985) Aviatrix; flight instructor and charter pilot; personal
pilot to Senator Barry Goldwater for twenty years; first woman appointed
to State Aeronautics Board, 1968; wrote Sky Pioneering; Arizona in Aviation
History. Richey, Thamar (1858-1937) Educator;
established and taught the school for Yaqui Indian children, 1924-1937;
in Pascua Village, Yaqui settlement in Tucson; new school building named
in her honor, 1954. Rider, Jane H.
(1889-1981) Civil
Engineer; arrived in Tucson in 1906; first woman to receive civil engineering
degree from the University of Arizona, 1911; first woman member of the
State Board of Health; state Director of Hospital Surveys, 1948-1961; known
as “Mother
of Sanitation in Arizona.” Riley,
Mary V. (1908-1987) Tribal leader, one of the first While Mountain
Apache women elected to Tribal Council, 1958-1978; lobbied Congress many
times on Indian issues; received State of Arizona Spirit of Arizona award,
1984. Rosenbaum,
Polly (1899-2003)Enthusiastic, gracious, and generous, Polly became an
unofficial protector of our heritage, advising on the old Capitol Museum
and Carnegie Library restorations, and leading the fight to acquire a permanent
home for Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum. She received countless
awards and honors; a state building carries her name; the “Polly
Award” and the “Polly Rosenbaum Writing Contest” continue
the good work she began. Shannon,
Elizabeth (1906-1985) Educator; taught the primary grades for 38
years in Clifton; Arizona Teacher of the Year, 1962; active in 4-H activities
and named Leader of the Year, 1978; nationally recognized horsewoman, teacher
and trainer; wrote Manual for Teaching Western Riding. Shaw,
Anna Moore (1898-1976) Writer and social worker; as a Native American
woman, contributed to the historical recordings of life in Arizona during
her lifetime; attempted to maintain the culture and language among the
Pima Indians and worked for improved living conditions on the reservation. Slee,
Margaret Sanger (1879-1966) Co-founder of Tucson Medical Center;
internationally recognized family planning advocate; founded women’s health
clinics in Arizona; world traveler and speaker on women’s health issues. Smith,
Placida Garcia (1896-1981) Social worker; Executive Director of Friendly
House, Phoenix for 32 years; organized first Mexican-American Boy Scout
troop in Arizona; directly assisted more than 1,400 immigrants become U.S.
citizens. Sorin, Sarah Herring (1861-1914) Lawyer;
first woman admitted to practice law in the Arizona Territory, 1893; 25th
woman admitted to practice before the Unites States Supreme Court and unassisted
successfully argued a case before the Court in 1913. Sparkes,
Grace M. (1893-1963) Civic Leader; Secretary of Yavapai County Chamber
of Commerce, 1913-1945; instrumental in establishing Yavapai Reservation;
coined phrase “Cowboy Capitol of the World” to promote Prescott’s Frontier
Days Rodeo; spearheaded creation of Coronado National Monument. Stevens,
Minnie McFarland (1911-1986) Environmentalist; as Fish Culturist
for Arizona Game and Fish Department, she effected preservation of the
endangered Apache trout, 1954-1986; first woman fish hatchery supervisor
in Arizona; received Professional Distinguished Service Award from New
Mexico/Arizona Chapter of the American Fisheries Society for her outstanding
success with Apache trout, 1983. Tanner,
Clara Lee (1905-1997) Anthropology
professor at the University of Arizona in the Department of Anthropology
for half a century; specialized in Southwest Indian arts and crafts; authored
an extensive list of articles and books ranging from newspaper articles
to college textbooks in addition to regular contributions to Arizona Highways
Magazine; and respected and sought-after speaker and an international authority
in her field. Toles, Elsie (1888-1957) Educator;
in 1920 became first woman elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction
in Arizona; during her tenure served as first and only female member of
the five boards including Arizona State Board of Pardons and Paroles; active
in literacy movement. Urquides,
Maria (1908-1994) Educator; humanitarian;
third generation Mexican American; known as “the mother of bilingual education”;
crusader for mental health and human relations projects that benefited
the less fortunate and the under represented; Tucson’s Urquides Elementary
School was named in her honor. Vasquez,
Carmen Soto (1861-1934) Impresario; founder and owner of Teatro Carmen
in Tucson dedicated to performance of Hispanic theatre; innovator and pioneer
whose influence was vital to Tucson’s early reputation as the Southwest’s
cultural center. Wauneka, Annie
Dodge (1910-1997) Member
of the Navajo Tribal Council for 27 years; crusader for Indian health,
education, housing, and agricultural improvements; recipient of numerous
awards including the Medal of Freedom, and the Will Ross Medal, the highest
award given by the Society of Public Health Educators; inducted into the
National Women’s
Hall of Fame. Wetherill, Louisa
Wade (1877-1945) Lecturer and author; among the first to realize
the importance of preserving the old Navajo legends, medicines, folk tales,
sand paintings and blanket designs; co-authored a book entitled, Traders
to the Navajos. Winsor,
Clarissa (1880-1974) Museum curator; founder and first curator of
Arizona Territorial Prison Museum in Yuma, 1941-1965; active in Yuma service
women’s clubs; named Yuma County Man of the Year, 1961. Woody,
Clara T. (1885-1981) Arizona historian; preserver of Gila County
history; pioneer oral history collector; authored Globe, Arizona. Young,
Ola (1869-1966) Long-serving pioneer postmistress and cattle ranchwoman
of Young, Arizona; established the first school in Pleasant Valley and
was its first teacher; local historian and chronicler of the infamous Graham-Tewksbury
feud. Yount, Florence Brookhart (1909-1988) Physician; “the
woman doctor who came and stayed” in Prescott, 1936-1974; pediatrician/obstetrician
who started the well baby clinic during the Depression; helped convert
a school into Prescott Community Hospital; delivered thousands of babies
and contributed to development of medical service in Yavapai County.
(Click here for Nomination Form)
Updated: 11/04/2008
