The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-20
COLORADO WOMEN
IN PUBLIC LIFE

New York, July 1s.-The Congress
honal Record IL supposed to be slow
reading. Newspaper people In par
ocular like to gibe at its dead. heavy,
solid looking pages. But here Is
chapter contributed by Representa-
i've Vale, Of Colorado, not long ago.
hat makes lively reading of the hui
nan sort:
II want to mention by name the
xomen whom we have elected to Of
Ice in Colorado. Aside from the in
.umbents Of the office of state super
ntendent of schools, who have been
Invariably competent and some OF
whom have shown marked ability, we
have elected in the last eight years
aine women to the upper and lower
branches OF the state legislature.
''First, Mrs. Alma v. Lafferty. "a
Democratic member OF the lower
house, in 1911, and a very close asso-
slate and coworker of that city build
ar, Robert W. Speer. Those Of you
who know my beautiful city know
what 1t means to have been associated
with him in that work. Mrs. Lafferty
has son who was a graduate of west
Point and who fell mortally wounded
u Ell C2ney. In the same legislature
ne Mrs Louise Kerwin.
Mrs. Evangeline Hearth WAS In the
eouse OF representatives In 1915 ana
Kas reelected in 1917. Mrs. Frances
3 Lee served in 1911. All OF these
women had been schooi-teachers, sue
sessful ones, and / submit that many
members Of this house have been
slecte I'd with no greater qualifications
han those held by these women; and
~ used to regard as very high the
qualification necessary in candidate
tor the office OF member of congress.
Miss Louise u. Jones was elected to
! the Democratic lower house in le1l--
wealthy woman who made her
wealth by wise Investment In real es-
tate and as a builder Of hotels and
residences.
'All of these women were Demo
Gratis Mrs Agnes l. Riddle was a
Republican member Of the lower
house in 1911 and was later candi-
date for secretary Of state in 1912 and
elected to the state senate in 1917. Mrs,
Riddle liz the daughter OF German
peasant. and heard her, addressing
~ liberty loan meeting. recall the fact
that she had been twice elected TO the
Colorado legislature She asked her
audience how far the daughter of
German peasant could advance under
the kaiser's autocracy, ! heard her
tell that audience that when her moth
er and little brothers and sisters they
first saw the Stars and stripes in New
York harhor and said. Mother. what
a beautiful flag" her mother TOOK
from her handbag a silk miniature of
that flag and made the children kiss IL,
and said to them, 'Henceforth that is
your fac. and this new beautiful coun-
try is your country" Mrs. Riddle had
two sons serving under the Stars and
Stripes in the war now happily end
Ing
Mrs Helen Ring Robinson Dem
ocrat was elected to the state senate
In 1919 She has a grown daughter,
l. a brilliant newspaper woman,
skiiifu1 debater. an able parltamen
, tartan Mrs Mary G. Bigelow was
&~lheted Ia the lower house as Re-
publican In 1919 She is a physician.
Tier husband is a banker, and she has
4 son who has bern three years IN the
military service or the United states.
ard who has JUS. - urned a captain In
the expediiior/y force after being
through the stifest fighting in tho AR
gonne. Miss Mabel Ruth Baker.
school teacher WAS elected as Re
puhlican 10 the lnwer house In 1879
She is Of tested metal intellectual
sensible and practical.
Those are the women actuaiy
elected to the two branches OF our
state legislature. and I would willing
iv submit them to "A comparison with
an equal number OF men legislators Sc
Ieeted from the legislature OF any
rnrlonw ealth IN this country. They
are lust exactly the same kind OF
women as your own mothers and sis
ters. They were OBJ not because
they were women but strictly upon
their merits Their opponents in
every case wore good men They have
left their names written on our statute
hooks in measures for the benefit of
the community, for the welfare oi
women and children, for the reclama~
ton of unfortunates the DEVELOPMENT
AZ agriculture and industry and The i'm
provement Of labor. have not had
the pleasure Of agreeing very often
with Senator Robinsor~ but both she
and Mrs Riddle are active and i'm
rortant in their party councils Four
az these weraea have grown children
Including four men~-chiidren who
have served in the armies Of this Re-
public. Colorado has gained by elect
ing the mothers OF men TO help make
her laws. and gentlemen Of Dixie. !
ask you men TO help your own moth
err r~-elect you--you may need their