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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Women's Suffrage Delegation on the steps of the State Capitol with Governor Charles Brough
Black and white photographic print of the Arkansas Women's Suffrage Delegation standing on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol with Governor Charles Brough.
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Ladies Bathing Department, Buckstaff Bathhouse
Color postcard of the Ladies Bathing Department at the Buckstaff Bathhouse in Hot Springs.
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Little Rock Telephone Company
This is a black and white photograph of female telephone operators at the Telephone Company Building in Little Rock in 1915.
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Belleville Girls' Canning Club
This is a black and white photograph of the Belleville Girls' Canning Club. Written on the back of the photograph: "Enrolled 89 in Yell Co. 5 clubs represented at this meeting. 500 tin cans at Co. Fair Oct 7-9, 1914. 700 glass jars."
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Women's Suffrage Rally on the Steps of the Old State House
Cabinet card photograph of an Arkansas women's suffrage rally on the steps of the Old State House. Written in pen on the bottom: "May 2nd Suffrage Day, Little Rock, Ark., 1914."
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Women's Suffrage Rally on the Steps of the Old State House
Cabinet card photograph of an Arkansas women's suffrage rally on the steps of the Old State House. Written in pen on the bottom: "May 2nd Suffrage Day, Little Rock, Ark., 1914."
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Women's Suffrage Rally on the Steps of the Old State House
Cabinet card photograph of an Arkansas women's suffrage rally on the steps of the Old State House. Individuals are numbered and corresponding names are written on the back: 1. Dr. L.P. Gibson, 2. Mrs. Clarence Rose, 3. Mrs. O.F. Ellington, 4. Judge Blackwood, 5. Miss Julie Warner, 6. Mrs. T.T. Cotman. Also written on the back, "At Women's Suffrage Rally on porch of Old State House."
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Woman's Christian Temperance Union parade float
Black and white photograph of participants on a parade float representing the local Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
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Mount Saint Mary's convent and academy
This is a black and white photograph of Mount Saint Mary's Convent and Academy for girls in Little Rock.
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Nurses at St. Vincent's Infirmary in Little Rock
Black and white photograph of a group of nurses at St. Vincent's Infirmary in Little Rock.
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Mount Saint Mary's basketball team
Black and white photograph of Mount Saint Mary's basketball team in Little Rock, circa 1909.
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Program, Fort Smith Federation of Women's Clubs
This is a small 12-page program from the 12th Annual Convention of the Arkansas Federation of Women's Clubs held in Fort Smith.
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Letter, Carry (Carrie) Nation to "Mr. Steven", 1905 March 17
Carrie Nation
Letter from Carry (Carrie) A. Nation in Mexia, Texas, to Mr. Steven. Nation talks about the sending Mr. Steven money and mail sent and received. She also talks about the draft of a new book she received.
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Letter, Carry (Carrie) Nation to "Mr. Steven", 1904 September 9
Carrie Nation
Letter from Carry (Carrie) A. Nation in Plainfield, Connecticut to "Mr. Steven." Nation asks Mr. Steven to seek damages for a shipment of books spoiled by linseed oil.
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Faculty at Maddox Female Seminary
Cabinet card photograph of the faculty of Maddox Female Seminary in 1903.
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Students at Maddox Female Seminary
Cabinet card photograph of some of the students at Maddox Female Seminary in Little Rock in 1903. On the left front corner is Lillian Hester Burton.
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Catholic Benedictine Sisters and Students in Wynne
This is a black and white photograph of Benedictine nuns and their students at St. Anselm's Catholic School in Wynne.
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Unidentified African American woman
This is a black and white photograph of an unidentified African American woman.
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Letter, Mary Dewoody to W.L. Dewoody
Mary Dewoody
This is a letter written by Mary Dewoody to her husband, W.L. Dewoody, who was traveling.
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Letter, Hellen Keller to her Aunt Sallie Phillips Keller
Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan
Typed letter from Helen Keller in Tuscumbia, Alabama to her Aunt Sallie Phillips Keller in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Keller writes about her recent visit to see her aunt in Hot Springs.
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Little Rock Woman's Exchange booklet
This is a booklet from the 1893 Little Rock Woman's Exchange. The booklet contains information about the organization and shopping ads.
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Arkansas Female College
Cabinet card photograph of students at the Arkansas Female College in Little Rock. The school was located in the Albert Pike house at the corner of 7th Street and Rock. There are some identifications with the photograph. The first girl in the front row holding the dog is Clara Fletcher Walker; first row, 6th from the left is Clara Heiligers; last row sitting, second from the left is May Belle Bazaka Gordy; standing on the right of the second column from the left and looking to her right is Julie Warner; leaning on the column is Dora Stebbing; second row from the rear and third to the right of the column is Mamie Walker; first row standing, third from the right is Hattie Duncan; and first row seated, the third from the left is Mrs. C.S. Woodward.
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Hattie Elizabeth Guy Hines
Black and white photographic negative of Hattie Elizabeth Guy Hines. Hattie Guy Hines was born in Ohio, and attended Wilberforce College. While there, she met her future husband, George Guy. They were both teachers, eventually settling in Sweet Home, Arkansas, and teaching at the Sweet Home Colored School. The Hines raised their eight children in Sweet Home: two sons, Guy and Milton; and six daughters, Hattie M., Maude, Emma, Florence, Ida Mae, and Virgie.
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Innaugural edition of the Woman's Chronicle
Kate Cunningham, Mary Burt Brooks, and Mrs. William Cahoon
This is the first issue of the Woman's Chronicle, a suffrage newspaper established and published in Little Rock by Kate Cunningham, Mary Burt Brooks and Mrs. William Cahoon.