Honoring Alaska’s Legacy of Women’s Rights Activism
The month of March, Women’s History Month, is dedicated to celebrating and honoring the contributions and achievements of women around the world. Internationally, the roots of Women’s History Month are built around the recognition of International Women’s Day. This date was first celebrated in Europe in 1911, on March 8th, and was originally proposed by German activist Clara Zetkin at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen in 1910. In the U.S., however, Women’s History Month began as a local week-long celebration in Santa Rosa, California, in 1978, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
It wasn’t long until this initiative was officially designated by Congress in 1987. Participating in this celebration is very important, especially for Alaskans, given that our state has a rich history of women’s activism and achievements that have contributed to the broader narrative of women’s rights in the United States, and that is worth remembering as we honor the contributions of women in our society. March is also the anniversary month of one of the landmark moments in the history of Women’s Rights in our states. Alaska’s first territorial legislature granted women the right to vote on March 21, 1913, with the Shoup Bill, seven years before the passage of the 19th Amendment, which solidified this right at the national level. This milestone was possible because of the efforts of female leaders such as Cornelia Templeton Jewett Hatcher, and Lena Morrow Lewis, who played key roles in this cause. However, despite these advancements, challenges for full access to women’s suffrage persisted, particularly for Alaska Native women. They were excluded from the voting rights granted by the Shoup Bill and were only fully granted the right to vote in 1965, but even now, decades later, still face obstacles to get to the ballot box. However, as we continue advocating for a more inclusive and equitable state, it’s important to remember, honor, and find inspiration in the work of some of the key figures in Alaska’s history of women’s activism. Some of them include Elizabeth Peratrovich, whose tireless effort for Native American rights led, in 1945, to the passage of the nation’s first anti-discrimination law, or Katie John, an Ahtna Athabascan leader, who fiercely defended Alaska Natives’ subsistence rights, resulting in significant changes to Alaska’s wildlife allocation in 1980. It’s important to also consider Frances Ann Ulmer, the first woman elected to statewide office in Alaska or Mary Louise Rasmuson, known for her dedication to civil service in the Women’s Army Corps in World War II and philanthropy. This is not, by any means, a complete list of the women who have and continue to make history in Alaska, but it’s a good place to start. It’s essential to recognize and celebrate the diverse contributions and legacies of women in Alaska and beyond. Their activism and perseverance have paved the way for progress and continue to inspire future generations to strive for equality and justice in our state. |