Due to its civil-rights history, Wyoming’s state nickname is “The Equality State”, and the official state motto is “Equal Rights”. On December 10, 1869, territorial Governor John Allen Campbell gave the right to vote to women, making Wyoming the first territory (and then U.S. state) to grant suffrage to women. In addition, Wyoming was also a pioneer in welcoming women into politics. Women first served on juries in Wyoming (Laramie in 1870); Wyoming had the first female court bailiff (Mary Atkinson, Laramie, in 1870); and the first female justice of the peace in the country (Esther Hobart Morris, South Pass City, in 1870). Also, in 1924, Wyoming became the first state to elect a female governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross, who took office in January 1925. Now that’s some HIStory!
