Citizen naturalists, a favorite sport, Women’s History Month and job openings
This month, we feature citizen scientists, talented artisans, two job announcements at the Wyoming State Archives and, as March is Women’s History Month, past articles on Wyoming’s women.
Birds and birders
Since the late 1940s, birders in Casper and around the state have pursued annual Christmas bird counts, providing reams of data for a fast-changing world. Rising early and working late, birders live to listen, watch and learn—and the birds keep flying. Read more in Ellis Hein’s article, “Tracking Wyoming’s Birds.”
“Current” paraphernalia
Playing a large trout without losing your fly; keeping your line taut while using the latest technology in reels and rods—dedicated fishermen and women enjoy all these things. How did the craft of tackle-making begin and evolve in Wyoming? Read more in Cheryl O’Brien’s article, “Flies, Lures and Tackle: A Wyoming Tradition.”
Wyoming Archaeological Society Spring Meeting
For information on the call for papers for the upcoming spring meeting May 2-5 at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming, in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Anthropological Conference, contact Wyoming State Archaeologist Spencer Pelton.
Job openings at Wyoming State Archives
Contact Wyoming State Archivist Sara Davis for information on two positions currently open: a part-time roving archivist, grant funded for two years; and a full-time, non-benefited one-year position to work with the nitrate negative collection.
Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month and a good time to remember women’s contributions to making Wyoming what it is today. In 1869, Wyoming’s territorial legislature passed a law recognizing women's right to vote and hold office, and Gov. John Campbell signed the bill into law on Dec. 10. The following year, in March, women first served on juries in Laramie and on Sept. 6, 1870, also in Laramie, Louisa Swain became the first Wyoming woman to cast a ballot under the world’s first law recognizing women's citizenship rights.
On Jan. 27, 1920, Wyoming became the 27th state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The amendment became part of the Constitution when Tennessee ratified it on Aug. 18 of that year, making votes for women the law of the land. And on Jan. 26, 1973, Wyoming became the 23rd state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment.
For information on all these events and more, visit our landing page on woman suffrage and women’s rights.
Also, see our 2023 articles about Wyoming women:
- Law and Order in Cokeville: A Woman Mayor and Prohibition
- “It Can Be Done:” Mayor Lizabeth Wiley and the KKK
- Vie Willits Garber: Botanist, Historian and Teacher
- Agnes Wright Spring: Equality as a Matter of Course
- A Woman Alone on Her Claim
Latest from the Blog
The Loves and Isolation
If ever three children could be said to be “raised in isolation,” they were Allan, David and Phoebe Love on their family’s ranch on Muskrat Creek.
More Wyoming Presidents’ Days
Last week in this space we detailed visits to Wyoming by presidents. Thanks to some alert readers, however, we’ve learned how wrong we were when we claimed those were the only ones.
Wyoming Presidents’ Days
Recently, we got a question from people who work at the Wyoming State Capitol: Is it true that Teddy Roosevelt once gave a speech from the second-floor balcony on the front of the building?
The Rest of the Story
Sometimes history surprises us. We think of it as full of things and people long ago that maybe don’t matter much. But then comes a whisper from somewhere unexpected, and history comes right up, stands next to us and we feel its presence, local and close.
Upcoming Events around Wyoming
For March calendar events, visit the Wyoming Historical Society’s website. If you know of upcoming history-related events in Wyoming, send a note to editor@wyohistory.org.