Arkansas women have held important social and political roles throughout the state's history. In addition to domestic, educational, and civic roles, Arkansas women became active suffragettes and held early roles in government. In the 1920s the town of Winslow elected the first all-female city government; in 1932 the nation's first female senator was a representative of Arkansas. This online exhibit explores some of the roles of women in the state, particularly in regard to education and political pursuits.
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Letter, Marion Reed to family
Marion Reed Biddle
Handwritten letter from Marion Reed to her family with writing on the front and back. The paper has letterhead with "Keep Em' Rolling" in red above a drawing of a tank, military vehicle, and large gun. The letter talks about her first days in the WAC.
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Pages from the Marion Reed Biddle diary
Marion Reed Biddle
This is a handwritten diary with the words, "My Stretch in the Service" on the front cover. The diary covers August 1942 to November 1943. This shows the opening title page and first page of the diary.
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Program, Arkansas W.C.T.U. convention
This is a program from the 61st annual Arkansas Women's Christian Temperance Union Convention at the First Methodist Church in Conway.
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Two unidentified African American women
This is a black and white photograph of two unidentified African American women.
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Washington town officials
Black and white photograph of the all women city council i Washington, Arkansas in 1934.
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Letters between Hattie Caraway and Griffin Smith
Hattie Caraway and Griffin Smith
These are two letters written between Hattie Caraway and Griffin Smith. Caraway writes the first letter on May 27, 1932, asking Smith what the political atmosphere is in Arkansas in relation to her chances of winning the next election. Smith responds on June 1, 1932, that her chances for election don't look very good.
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Letter, Hattie Caraway to Griffin Smith
Hattie Caraway
This is a two page letter in four sections from Hattie Caraway in Riverdale, Maryland to Griffin Smith in Marianna, Arkansas. The letter discusses the death of Hattie's husband, Thaddeus, who had been a U.S. Senator. It also discusses her feelings about taking his place in the U.S. Senate.
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C.J. Lincoln Company employees
Sepia-toned photograph of unnamed female employees at the C.J. Lincoln Company in Little Rock.
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Pamphlet, Arkansas Mothers' and Children's home
This is a pamphlet advertising the Arkansas Mothers' and Children's Home in Morrilton. The pamphlet discusses the need for the home, its costs, describes the facilities and lists Officers and Directors.
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Two unidentified African American women
This is a black and white photograph of two unidentified African American women.
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Journalism students, University of Arkansas
Walter J. Lemke
This is a black and white photograph of journalism students at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Front, from left to right: Mary Schilling, Nelda Hickman, Mrs. Zillah C. Peel, Marguerite Gilstrap, Mabel Claire Gold, and Madge Curtis. Back, from left to right: Mary Ellen Fulks, Virginia Reed, Maude Gold, Mary Peel, Lura Hudson.
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Miss Erle Chamber and Mrs. Frances Hunt on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol
This is a black and white photo of Mrs. Francis Hunt, on the left, and Miss Earle Chambers, on the right, standing on the Arkansas State Capitol steps.
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Ladies' Aid Society meeting minutes
Mrs. H.L. Dugger
This document contains meeting minutes for the Methodist Episcopal Church's Ladies' Aid Society.
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Document, Nellie Hill pistol permit application
O.T. Massey
This is a 1923 application for a pistol permit made by Mrs. Nellie Hill in Lawrence County.
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Ladies on a park bench
This is a cabinet card photograph of five women sitting on a park bench. From left to right: Gladys Broadhead, Ida Polk, Ida Walsh, Mabel Long and Leonora Scott.
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Wave Russell canning at home
This is a black and white photograph of Wave Russell canning food in the yard of her home in Belleville.
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YWCA Songbook
Binder songbook of Y.W.C.A. songs. The cover is dark green. The book contains 10 songs pasted onto 10 individual, lined pieces of notebook paper. The book is held together by metal rings. This digitized collection only contains two of the ten pages, due to the fragility of the item.
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World War I Certificate of Discharge, Estelle E. Smith
World War I discharge papers for Estelle E. Smith, who had served as an Army reserve nurse for the Army Nurse Corps. Estelle would later marry Homer Adkins, who became Governor of Arkansas. This certificate as a replacement certificate for the lost or destroyed original, which had been issued in 1919. This replacement certificate was given in 1962.
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American Red Cross Nursing Class, World War I, Leslie, Arkansas
This is a black and white photograph of an American Red Cross Nursing Class in Leslie, Arkansas during World War I. Standing left to right: Dexter Thomas Morrow, Verlie Kimbrell Norman, unknown, Miss Hart (teacher), Ivy Norman Stokes, Willie Leonard, Lillian Britton, Gertrude Shipley, Polly Mabrey-Rand-Thomas. Seated left to right: Miss Livingston (teacher), Florence Porch, Goldie Hilton, Hazel Leonard Mabrey.
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Council of Defense Registration cards: Henry, Mrs. A.
Council of Defense registration card for Mrs. A. Henry, a woman registering World War I work. Information on the cards include name, age, address, marital status, country of birth, color, time pledged for service, occupation, education, referenses and physical health. The card also includes information about what kind of work each woman was qualified for.
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Council of Defense Registration cards: Mathews, Elizabeth (Mrs. H.K.)
Council of Defense registration card for Elizabeth (Mrs. H.K.) Mathews, a woman registering World War I work. Information on the cards include name, age, address, marital status, country of birth, color, time pledged for service, occupation, education, referenses and physical health. The card also includes information about what kind of work each woman was qualified for.
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Council of Defense Registration cards: Smith, Norene (Miss)
Council of Defense registration card for Miss. Norene Smith, a woman registering World War I work. Information on the cards include name, age, address, marital status, country of birth, color, time pledged for service, occupation, education, referenses and physical health. The card also includes information about what kind of work each woman was qualified for.
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Council of Defense Registration cards: Stevenson, Elizabeth E. (Mrs.)
Council of Defense registration card for Mrs. Elizabeth E. Stevenson, a woman registering World War I work. Information on the cards include name, age, address, marital status, country of birth, color, time pledged for service, occupation, education, referenses and physical health. The card also includes information about what kind of work each woman was qualified for.
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For Every Fighter a Woman Worker poster
This is a United War Work Campaign poster for the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), depicting the image of a woman in overalls and a cap holding an artillery shell and biplane, with an inverted blue triangle behind her, with the words "For Every Fighter a Woman Worker. Care for Her through the YWCA."
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Letter, Mrs. Ohmer C. Burnside to Mrs. S.S. Wassell
Mrs. Ohmer C. Burnside
This is a letter from Mrs. Ohmer C. Burnside in Lake Village, Arkansas, to Bettie Wassell in Little Rock, Arkansas. The letter talks about whether or not two Arkansas politicians in Ashley County have supported women's suffrage.