Women

Swisshelm, Jane Grey (1815-1884)

Jane Grey Swisshelm only lived in Minnesota for six years, but during that time she left a lasting mark on the state. While in St. Cloud, she founded a newspaper which she used to advocate for women's rights, argue for the abolition of slavery, build up the Republican Party, challenge the authority of the Democratic machine there, and promote violence against the Dakota.

Clara Ueland

Clara Ueland, organizer of the 1914 parade and president of the MWSA, c. 1921

Women suffrage meeting at Rice park, St. Paul.

Women's rights march in Rice Park in St. Paul in 1914.

Julia B. Nelson

Julia B. Nelson, the fifth president of the MWSA, c. 1903

Minneapolis women voting for the first time in a downtown Minneapolis precinct.

Women lining up to vote for the first time in a presidential election, 1920

Minnesota Woman Suffrage Association

From 1881 to 1920, the Minnesota Woman Suffrage Association (MWSA) struggled to secure women's right to vote. Its members organized marches, wrote petitions and letters, gathered signatures, gave speeches, and published pamphlets and broadsheets to force the Minnesota legislature to recognize their right to vote. Due to their efforts, the Minnesota Legislature approved the Nineteenth Amendment in 1919.