Category Archives: Women

Black honor student controversy, 1907

White students in the January 1907 graduating class at Springfield High School objected when it appeared that two black students, both girls, were in line to become the class’s valedictorian and salutatorian. In a suspiciously sudden reversal of fortune, however, … Continue reading

Posted in African Americans, Education, Prominent figures, Women | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Judge John Wickliffe Taylor House

The 20-room Judge John Taylor House built in 1857, housed the Home and Hospital for Fallen Women starting in 1868 and later the Ambidexter Institute, an “industrial school” primarily for African American boys. The Taylor home, 12th and Cass streets … Continue reading

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First Black high school graduate

The first African-American high school graduate in Springfield wanted to be a schoolteacher, but it would be 80 more years before the local public schools would employ a Black teacher. So Gertrude Wright (1861-1931) became a teacher in St. Louis, … Continue reading

Posted in African Americans, Education, Ethnic groups, Local government, Schools and school districts, Women | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Women’s suffrage in Illinois

A carefully calibrated legislative strategy in Springfield led to Illinois becoming, in 1913, the first state east of the Mississippi to grant women the right to vote. On June 10, 1919, the state then became the first in the nation … Continue reading

Posted in Illinois capital, Local government, Politics, Prominent figures, Schools and school districts, State government, Women | 5 Comments

Bettie Stuart Institute

The Bettie Stuart Institute educated young women, mainly from the Springfield area, from the 1860s into the 1930s. Courses ranged from English, math and foreign languages to art, vocal and instrumental music, but, as an advertisement for the school pointed … Continue reading

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Home for the Friendless

The Home for the Friendless assisted indigent women and children of Springfield from 1863 to 1928, when it was merged into the Children’s Service League. The gradual addition of other social service agencies ultimately led to formation of the Family … Continue reading

Posted in African Americans, Children, Social services, Springfield Survey, Women | 15 Comments

Nellie Browne Duff

Nellie Browne Duff  (1888-1971) was a reporter, screenwriter, veterans’ advocate, aviatrix and provocateur in Springfield from 1917 until the late 1920s. She later moved to the Bellingham, Wash., area, where she apparently continued with some of the same pursuits. Duff … Continue reading

Posted in Arts and letters, Journalism, Military, Prominent figures, Resources, Transportation, Women | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Salome Paddock Enos (1828 pioneers)

Salome Paddock Enos (1791-1877), the wife of Pascal P. Enos, successfully managed her husband’s extensive land holdings following his death and became one of early Springfield’s most generous benefactors. At her death, James Matheny described how Salome Enos dealt with … Continue reading

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Elizabeth Graham (First Citizen)

Elizabeth Graham (1892-1982), though a Springfield High School English teacher and department head for nearly 40 years, is best known for her unswerving dedication to the poetry and memory of Vachel Lindsay. Graham. born in Galena, attended a Lindsay recitation … Continue reading

Posted in Arts and letters, Education, First Citizens, Historic Sites, Lindsay, Vachel, Museums, Prominent figures, Women | Leave a comment

International Shoe Company

Springfield had a major shoe factory at Tenth Street and Enos Avenue from 1903 to 1964. The plant, built in the late 19th century, originally was the Springfield Furniture Co., but became a shoe factory when it was taken over … Continue reading

Posted in Buildings, Business, Industry, Social services, Women | Tagged | 12 Comments