Wyoming
State Archives

Women have been an integral part of Wyoming’s history since its organization of a territory in 1868. Most notable is Esther Hobart Morris who, in 1870 became justice of the peace in South Pass City. As such, she was the first woman in the country to be elected to a public office. Another famous citizen was Nellie Tayloe Ross, Wyoming’s first and only woman governor from 1923-1925.

Morris and Ross have become the sole representatives of women’s history in Wyoming. There is no argument about the important positions held by Morris and Ross. The problem is that by focusing on them, significant contributions by other women have all but been ignored.

For example, Morris’ effort opened the door of opportunity for other women across the state. But many other women justices of the peace have not been remembered in the pages of history.

Nellie Tayloe Ross’ position of governor was only one of many administrative posts occupied by women. For example, many of Wyoming’s charitable institutions have been managed by female superintendents: the Children’s Home, the general hospital at Rock Springs, and the Girls’ School. In the social axiom of the day where women were charged with caring for the home and children, these superintendents seemed to fill these rolls aptly. To say so is to patronize them, when instead their administrative abilities should be scrutinized.

Women in history is not necessarily about women doing outstanding events but about women in mundane experiences of everyday life. Managing the home, caring for children, or teaching children have been long established, sometimes sexist, roles. Yet over time, these roles have not remained the same. The family oriented woman has changed from the pioneer days, to the Victorian mother, the "Leave It to Beaver" mom of the 1950s and the working mom of the 1980s.

There were women who found life hard and difficult due to their sex, race or economic class. Some turned to crime to sustain themselves. Leaving husbands or abandoning families was not an uncommon happening. The reasons for taking such actions were rarely given, but a closer examination may reveal some insight into personal motives or temptations.

At the far extreme were women who sought a release from life itself. In October 1906, Josie Kepler was found dead in Dietz. Her death was attributed to an overdose of chloroform. For unknown reasons she was despondent with life and decided to end it. After doctors pronounced her dead, her husband hugged and kissed his wife and cried for her. When the doctors discovered additional chloroform in the room, Kepler grabbed it and decided to take the last bit so that he would go too, but the doctors wrestled him down and administered medicine to cure him.

A turn of the century tragedy or a twist on the Romeo and Juliet theme?

The history of women in Wyoming cannot be represented by one women or a handful of women. There are too many topics and too many characters involved. This diversity is what makes women’s history interesting.

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