Wyoming
100 years ago, Wyoming swore in nation’s first elected female governor. This is her story.
How Nellie Tayloe Ross went from the first lady of Wyoming to the first woman governor
In the span of three months in 1924, Nellie Tayloe Ross became a widow, single mother and the first woman elected governor in the United States.
Erin Udell, erinudell@coloradoan.com
A century ago, on Jan. 5, 1925, Wyoming made history when Nellie Tayloe Ross was sworn in as its governor — making her the first woman ever elected to the office in the U.S.
Nellie Tayloe Ross had come to Wyoming with her husband, William Bradford Ross, a promising attorney and aspiring democratic politician who rose from Laramie County’s prosecuting attorney to the governor’s office when he won Wyoming’s 1922 gubernatorial race, according to the National Governors Association.
After nearly two years in office, William Bradford Ross died Oct. 2, 1924, from complications following an appendectomy. His wife ultimately took up the helm, winning a special election for the governor’s seat in the fall of 1924.
In the matter of months, Nellie Tayloe Ross went from a wife to a widow and single mom and from a politician’s wife to a politician herself.
Nellie Tayloe Ross served out the rest of her husband’s term, then was defeated for reelection in 1926. She went on to carve out a career as a public speaker and serve as the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed her as the first female director of the U.S. Mint. She remained in the role for 20 years.
Catch up on all 36 of the Coloradoan’s binge-worthy history podcast episodes and subscribe to The Way it Was for more. The podcast is available on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts and other podcast apps.
Gaining the knowledge to become an outdoorsy type of person isn’t easy. It takes time, dedication, and the desire to sometimes get out of your comfort zone. Sure, if you grew up in the outdoors, but it’s been a while since you’ve actually been out hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping, you may be a little rusty, but you have a leg up on those who haven’t.
If you’re in Wyoming, there’s a good chance that taking advantage of the incredible outdoor activities we have available has crossed your mind, but where to start is the big question. Asking others for help is one way, but there’s sometimes an element of intimidation or embarrassment involved.
If you’re a woman looking for that help and want to avoid the intimidation, you should really check out the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) workshops this summer. It’s held at the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp near Dubois, and everything you need to learn about the outdoors is provided, including food and lodging.
The registration deadline is March 31, meaning you have just a couple of weeks to apply for one or all of the offered workshops.
There are multiple options available depending on your level of outdoor knowledge.
Basic BOW Workshop: Introductory level camp teaching outdoor survival, basic fly fishing, backpacking, how to shoot, outdoor photography, and more. There will be two of these workshops, June 5-7 and August 7-9. $150
Fly Fishing Beyond BOW Workshop: The focus here is on fly fishing. Learn the basics and then put them to use. This workshop runs July 30 – Aug 2. $150
Backpacking Beyond BOW: This workshop is all about backpacking, hiking, cooking on the trail, adjusting to the trail, and preparing for the trip. You’ll learn how to properly pack your bag, set up camp, and then head out on an overnight trip. July 30 – Aug 2. $150
Become a BOW Instructor: Here’s where you put your years of experience to work by sharing your skills and knowledge with others, helping them learn the tricks and tips of the outdoors.
Not only will these workshops help get you started on a life in the outdoors, but you’re likely going to gain some street cred with your family when you can teach them the skills they’ll need to get out and celebrate a Wyoming lifestyle.
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