Women of Consequence

Book excerpt: The Colorado Women's Hall of Fame was founded in 1985, by a group of women who were concerned that both historic and contemporary women who shared foresight, vision, enthusiasm, and the power of accomplishment were not receiving appropriate acknowledgment. Fearful that splendid achievements would be forgotten, they wished to honor women who, during their lifetime, made a significant contribution to Colorado as a state or territory. It is the hope of the founders that by so honoring Colorado's women of consequence, their spirits might inspire future generations.In the first decade since the founding, fifty-nine women were selected for induction. Although historians habitually ignored the vital part that women played in the building of the West, in actuality these women's lives contain plots and characters that would enliven the most gripping novels. We have saints, like Frances Wisebart Jacobs and the theatrical angel Helen Bonfils; activists such as Josephine Roche and Rachel Noel; a scientific genius in Florence Sabin; and visionaries like Dana Crawford. There are tragedies, as with the Tabor wives, and the lighter-hearted tales of Mary Elitch Long and Mary Coyle Chase.Women of Consequence provides a bonanza of role models who opened new frontiers for women in so many fields, including business, journalism and newspaper publishing, science and medicine, law, politics, education, charity work, botany and even taxidermy. These stories are sure to inspire, delight, and instruct readers throughout Colorado, from young adults to senior citizens, whether they've lived here all their lives or moved here recently.