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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Program, Arkansas Female College commencement exercises
Commencement program for the Arkansas Female College 1879 graduation ceremony. The ceremony was held at the Opera House in Little Rock.
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Letter, Georgia Passmore to her Mother, Elizabeth Passmore
Georgia Passmore
Letter from Georgia "Baby" Passmore at St. Mary's Academy in Little Rock to her mother, Elizabeth Chapline Passmore, in Hot Springs. Georgia was about ten years old when she wrote this letter.
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Constitution and by-laws of the Ladies' Hebrew Benevolent Association
This is a small booklet containing the constitution and by-laws of the Ladies' Hebrew Benevolent Association of Little Rock, Arkansas. This is a sample of the pages found in the booklet. The organization's constitution and by-laws were adopted on June 5, 1867. The cover of the booklet is a metallic purple with gold print.
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Letter, Evie Woodruff to Harriet Woodruff Jabine
Evie Woodruff
This is a letter written by Evie Woodruff in Camden, Arkansas to her sister, Harriet Woodruff Jabine, in Kentucky. Evie writes about being with their father, William Woodruff, in Camden and her unhappiness about being away from Little Rock.
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Letter, Eliza Woodruff to Harriet Woodruff Jabine
Eliza Woodruff
This is a letter written by Eliza Woodruff, wife of Arkansas Gazette owner William Woodruff, to their daughter, Harriet Woodruff Jabine, in Louisville, Kentucky. Harriet, whose nickname was Hattie, had recently married and moved to Louisville. Eliza talks about her health, the weather and news from Little Rock. The letter is written on one page, front and back.
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Fayetteville Female Seminary
Lithograph of the Fayetteville Female Seminary in 1852. Miss Sophia Sawyer was the principal of the school.