I would like, in particular, to thank Nancy Boone, the Courthouse Project Coordinator, for her assistance in digging up information about these two interesting women. We see how they take for granted the hard won equality women now have. Of course, it makes sense that it would be hard to appreciate . . . But lets think back for a moment to those that paved the way for us. Two Washington County women were trailblazers.
Lets begin by setting the stage.
Remember also that in 1912 Woodrow Wilson was elected, in part, on the pledge of keeping us out of the war and of institutionalizing segregation. This involved a move toward a direct primary, the first direct election of senators, the first workers rights bills such as child labor laws and workers compensation. A feeling of great possibility abounded. There was more economic fluidity in our society during that time than had been during the previous 50 or so years. Some of Vermont's famous strikes occurred around this time.