Remnants of Utah's Legislative Past
As another Legislative session begins we thought we would share some of our collections of Utah's legislative past....
At the 1895 Utah Constitutional Convention
Women's suffrage leaders: Martha H. Cannon, Emily S. Richards, Mary Bradford, Rebecca M. Little, Sarah Kimball, Emmeline B. Wells, Amelia F. Young, Augusta W. Grant, Zina D. Young, Lyle M. Stansbury, Susan B. Anthony, Electa Bullock, Phoebe Y. Beattie
a battle for women's suffrage - the right of women to vote - was waged. Womens' right to vote was first granted in 1870 by the territorial legislature but revoked by Congress in 1887 as part of a national effort to rid the territory of polygamy.
Utah women, both Mormon and non-Mormon, organized and became active in the National Woman Suffrage Association. With statehood in sight, the women swung into action and resolved that the right to vote and hold office would be written into the new constitution. Through their diligence and connections to important religious and community leaders they were able to convince enough of the convention delegates to include these rights in the Utah Constitution.
Woman's Exponent, newspaper produced by Mormon women, June 15, 1895. This issue supported the rights of the women and was published during the debates on voting.
Click here to learn more about the Woman's Exponent newspaper.
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Martha Hughes Cannon First female state senator, 2nd Utah State legislature, D |
Sarah E. Anderson 2nd Utah State Legislature, D, House of Representatives |
Eurithe K. LeBarthe 2nd Utah State Legislature, D House of Representatives |
Working copy of James Paton Low's Journal, 1895 Constitutional Convention
Gavel presented to Albion Emery by members of the 1894 Territorial Assembly.
Learn more about women's suffrage on our History To Go website
Women's Suffrage Dominated Politics in Utah
Ruth May Fox, Forgotten Suffragist