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Indiana Women's History Association, Inc. |
Activism and Social Issues
Arts (Visual) and
Architecture
Business and Commerce
Education and Information
Systems
Environment and Ecology
Ethnic Heritage
History, Archaeology
and Preservation
Journalism, News and
Photography
Law
Peace and War
Performing Arts
Philanthropy
Pioneering
Politics and Diplomacy
Religion, Ethics and
Philosophy
Science, Medicine and
Technology
Special Awards and
Recognitions
Sports and Adventure
Writing and Publishing
Bacon, Albion Fellows (1865-1933)
Writer, social worker – Evansville. Albion and her sister Amie
grew up in
Evansville and both became famous. Shocked by the slums of her city,
Albion
became an activist and worked to improve the living conditions of the
poor.
Through her efforts, the Indiana State Legislature passed the State
Tenement
Law in 1913 and the State Housing Law in 1917. Her marriage to Hilary
Bacon
and her duties as the mother of four children did not keep her from
doing the
work for the welfare of children she thought was so important. She
helped
organize many groups such as the Tuberculosis Association and the
Visiting
Nurses Association. She was chair of the State Welfare Association and
a
member of the State Commission on Delinquency. She lectured all over
the
United States as an authority on housing reform. She was appointed to
the
Conference on Home Building by President Herbert Hoover. Memberships
included the Legislative Council of Indiana Women, the Indiana
Historical
Association (Interracial Commission), and Woman's Press Club of Indiana.
Author of the autobiographical Beauty for Ashes, The Path to
God,
and Consolation, she wrote poems, fairy tales, and pageants. A
truly
great lady of Indiana (from Women of Indiana, p. 261).
Ball, Bertha ( - )
Philanthropist, civil worker – Muncie. Bertha Ball, an 1898
graduate of
Vassar College, is noted for her active work in preserving Indiana's
history.
She has been active in the Federation of Women Club, the DAR, the Ball
Bros.
Foundation, and many other civic groups. She has been Chair of the Old
Fauntleroy Home at New Harmony and a leader in preserving this piece of
Indiana history. She was also appointed by the governor to be a member
of the
New Harmony Memorial Commission.
Bayh, Marvella Hern (1933-1979)
Political and health activist – Terre Haute, Bloomington. Born in
Oklahoma, Marvella became a public speaker while in high school. She
went
to Chicago for the National Farm Bureau Speech Contest, where she met
Birch
Bayh. They were married a year later and moved to Birch's home farm in
Shirtlesville, near Terre Haute. She was a spokesperson for her
husband's
campaigns for Congress, as well as for other Democratic leaders. She
also
spoke for women's involvement in politics. She served as spokesperson
for
Head Start, ERA, cancer research, and anti-smoking campaigns. Marvella
was
named Indiana Woman of the Year. She also received the 1979 American
Cancer Society's Hubert Humphrey Inspirational Award for Courage just
before
her death from bone cancer. She did not live to see her son Evan become
governor of Indiana and a U.S. Senator.
Beard, Mary Ritter (1876-1958)
Historian, author, women's rights activist – Indianapolis. While
living in
England with her husband Charles, Mary was influenced by the poor
conditions
of female industrial workers and the women suffragists. She combined
activism on women's issues with writing. In 1946 she published Women
as
a Force in History and wrote numerous other books on women's issues.
She established the World Center for Women's Archives to aid in the
understanding of women's role in history. She also co-authored a
popular
American history textbook series with her husband.
Bolton, Sarah Tittle Barrett (1814-1893)
Reforms activist, poet – Madison, Indianapolis. When Sarah's
family moved as early settlers to Jennings County, Indiana, it was a
wilderness. When Sarah was nine the family moved to Madison, Indiana,
so that the children could attend school. Showing an early interest in
writing, Sarah had her first poem published in the local paper when she
was 13. Her verses were regularly printed in newspapers in Madison and
Cincinnati. Thus she was one of the earliest Indiana poets. She was
known as Indiana's First Poet Laureate. Although her poetry is dated
and sentimental by today's standards, in the pioneer years of Indiana
she was the best known of all the poets. In 1831 Sarah met and married
newspaper editor Nathaniel Bolton. For nine years she ran an inn and
dairy to help support the family. Sarah was also known as an activist
for women's issues. She continued writing poetry. She is honored as
Indiana's Pioneer Poet with a bronze plaque that bears an inscription of
one of her poems in Indiana's statehouse. She is also is given credit
for the success of Robert Dale Owen in his efforts to secure property
rights for women.
Calvin, Jessie Carrithers (1868-1959)
Physician, health activist – Fort Wayne. Dr. Calvin spoke to many
groups to educate them in the areas of health, hygiene, nutrition, and
disease prevention. She helped raise money for a visiting nurse to go
into the homes of those who could not afford health care. She graduated
from Northwestern University Medical School for Women in 1898. Dr,
Calvin practiced medicine until she was 71 years old. She was the first
woman to be an officer in the Fort Wayne Medical Society.
Coffin, Katie (1803-1881)
Quaker activist – Fountain City (Newport). Conductor of the
Underground Railroad. Responsible for the freedom of three thousand
slaves.
Coney, Mattie (1907-1988)
Community activist, African-American leader, teacher –
Indianapolis. Founder of community projects for African-Americans.
Mattie also initiated community action programs, which merited national
attention as model projects.
Fauntleroy, Constance Owen ( - )
Activist – New Harmony, Posey County. Formed what may have been
the first women's club in the world - The Minerva Society - in New
Harmony in 1859, which met in her home. Robert Dale Owen drafted the
constitution for the group.
Fox, Lillian Thomas (1886-1917)
Journalist, activist – Indianapolis. Lillian was a pioneer in
journalism in Indianapolis. She first wrote for the Freeman, a
nationally prominent "black" newspaper, and became the first African-
American correspondent for the Indianapolis News. Lillian was a noted
national speaker on African-American women's rights. She formed the
Indianapolis Women's Empowerment Club. Although she wrote a column for
Black Hoosiers for 14 years, she was never given a byline stating that
she was the writer.
Hamilton, Alice (1869-1970)
Scientist – Fort Wayne. Alice received her medical degree from
the University of Michigan in 1893 and became a research scientist after
further study at Johns Hopkins University and in Germany. In 1897 she
was appointed professor of pathology at Women's Medical School of
Northwestern University. Alice was active in Jane Adams' Hull House
Settlement, doing social work on Saturday mornings. She published the
first American book on occupational disease. She was a political
activist as an advocate of women's suffrage, birth control, child labor
laws, and workers' compensation. An OSHA research facility in
Cincinnati is named for her. She is the sister of Edith Hamilton.
Hammil, Jan ( - )
Native American of Apache tribe, activist – Indianapolis. Jan
grew up on a reservation in New Mexico and moved to Indianapolis in
1972. She is an advocate for Native American issues in Indiana.
Keher, Ella Bagot (1864-1962)
CEO, Health activist – Anderson. Ella was an insurance company
officer. After her husband's death, she moved to Anderson and became
the director of the Anderson Industrial School, a forerunner of th YMCA
and Boys' and Girls' Clubs. She worked on tuberculosis issues in the
county and state for 40 years. Ella was state president of the Indiana
Federation of Clubs. She ran an adoption service; sponsored a summer
camp; was president of the Child Welfare Association of Indiana;
director of the Indiana Health Council; and member of the board of the
League of Women Voters of Indiana. While the director of the Industrial
School, Ella formed a basketball team and was its coach until she could
raise money to hire a trained coach. The team was a competitive group
in the area.
Kos, Eva ( - _
Museum founder, activist – Terre Haute. Eva survived the deadly
twin experiments done by Nazi Joseph Mengele at the Auswitz
Concentration Camp during World War II. Eva was the founder of the
C.A.N.D.L.E.S. Holocaust Museum in Terre Haute, which is dedicated to
informing visitors about the Holocaust. She sometimes lectures at the
museum on prejudice and forgiveness.
McCarty, Virginia Dill (1924- )
Lawyer, activist – Plainfield. President of Farm Implement
Company.
Morrison, Catherine Morris ( - )
Educator, activist – Salem, Bloomington. Catherine attended
Washington County Seminary in Salem, run by John Morrison. Her Quaker
parents sent her to the Quaker-run Westown Boarding School near
Philadelphia at age 16. She returned to Salem at age 18. Catherine
then married widower John Morrison in 1932. Their first child, Sarah
Parke, was born, and Catherine tutored her in Quaker scripture and
classical subjects. Catherine began to attend temperance meetings and
to lecture and write for the temperance movement. With her husband,
Catherine opened Salem Female Seminary in 1834 in a four-story brick
building. They hired a female teacher (rare at that time) from the
East. The family moved to Bloomington in 1840, where John was chair of
Ancient Languages at IU. They returned to Salem in 1843. Catherine
continued to tutor Sarah at home until she was sent East for more
schooling.
Streight, Lovina (1830-1910)
Civil War activist – Irvington, Indianapolis. Lovina was known as
"Mother" to the 5,000 Civil War soldiers of the 51st Regiment, who were
led by her husband, Colonel Abel Streight.
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Ball, Caroline Peddle (1869-1938)
Sculptor – Terre Haute. Internationally known sculptor. Studied
with the
famous sculptor St. Gaudens in New York City. Caroline had a studio in
Paris
for three years and also studied in Italy. She made designs for the
company of
Louise Comfort Tiffany for the Columbian Exhibition (Chicago World's
Fair) and
also designed the 25 cent Isabella coin for that event. Her sculptures
include
fountains, baptismal fonts for churches, fireplace screens, and bronze
reliefs of
children.
Ball, Evelyn (1906- )
Historic preservationist – Lafayette. Evelyn saved the original
paintings
of American artist George Winter when they were being tossed out of the
window of a local building being demolished. She also saved his
sketchbook
and journals and gave them to the Tippecanoe County Historical Society.
She
served on the board of a number of preservation groups.
Bowles, Janet Payne ( - )
Metal sculptor/artist – Indianapolis. Janet became interested in
music, art, and literature when she was a high school student in
Indianapolis. She married Joseph Bowles, the editor of Modern
Art magazine. She met a young Russian immigrant in Boston who was a
metalsmith, became fascinated by the technique, and began work as an
apprentice. After moving to New York she did commission work in gold
and jewels for famous people. Upon returning to Indianapolis with her
two children in 1912, she taught metalsmithing at Shortridge High School
for 30 years. Some of her work is displayed at the Indianapolis Museum
of Art. Janet also made silver and gold pieces, such as chalices for
churches.
Burnell, Wilhelmina Seegmiller ( - )
Artist, teacher – Indianapolis.
Coudert, Amalia Kussner (1863-1932)
Artist - Terre Haute. One of the world's foremost painters of miniature
portraits, she painted the Prince of Wales' and Czar Nicholas II of
Russia's portraits (Traces 2 (4) 39-45). Amalia was called
"painter in little."
Eikerman, Alma (1908-1995)
Educator, artist – Bloomington. Alma was educated at Columbia
University. She arrived in Bloomington to join the Indiana University
faculty in 1947. As a distinguished metalsmith professor in the
Department of Fine Arts, she built the metalsmithing department from a
few students to 128. She learned about ancient designs by traveling
widely to museums abroad and experimented with these designs in her own
work. Many of her students became noted artists and teachers. Her
metal work is displayed in many museums and private collections.
Goodwin, Frances (1855-1929)
Artist – New Castle, Henry County. Frances was a sculptor,
studied in Europe for over four years, and had a studio in Paris. Her
first public structure was made for the Indians building at the Chicago
World's Fair. The bust she made of Schuyler Colfax, vice president
under Ulysses Grant, is in the Gallery of the United States Senate.
Frances was particularly noted for the bronze bust she made of Robert
Dale Owen, which stands on the grounds of the State Capitol.
Goth, Marie (1887-1975)
Artist – Indianapolis, Nashville. Marie was the first female to
paint a portrait of an Indiana governor – Henry Schricker in 1943.
She studied art in New York for ten years and had a portrait studio in
Indianapolis prior to moving to Brown County. Marie was part of the
colony of noted painters who settled in Brown County. She was also the
founder of the Brown County Art Gallery in 1926. Her sister Genevieve
was also an artist.
Ketchan, Susan Merrill (1841-1930)
Artist – Indianapolis. Susan's first interest was in music. She
played the church organ for many years. She fell ill and went to Europe
to recuperate. Awed by the beauty of the scenery , Susan decided to
study painting. She studied with artists in Italy. Upon her return to
the U.S., she studied at the Indiana School of Art. Susan also studied
in New York at the Art Students' League. One of her instructors was
William Merrill Chase. Susan lived in New York for 40 years. Her
studio was in Carnegie Hall. She exhibited a portrait of her mother at
the Chicago World's Fair. One of her paintings hangs in Memorial Hall
at Indiana University. Susan also organized two art schools.
Masters, Mary ( - )
Native American of Potawatomi Tribe, artist – Shipshewanna. Mary
is a full-blooded Potawatomi. She grew up on a reservation in the state
of Washington. She spent summers with her grandmother near Goshen; her
grandmother told her Indian legends. Mary dropped out of school because
other children did not treat her well. She married and raised a family.
Her granddaughter brought her a lump of clay, and she began to make
dolls resembling family members. Her art has evolved into a successful
business. She has been allowed to make portrait dolls of many famous
people, and Disney World and the Danbury Mint have requested Mary to
make dolls for them. Mary wants her work to teach people to understand
Native American culture. One of her favorite dolls is made to look like
her grandmother.
Mess, Evelynne Bernloehr (1903- )
Artist – Indianapolis. Evelynne's parents helped encourage her to
study art by establishing a studio for her in an empty room of their
home in Indianapolis. Evelynne loved nature and spent time at camps and
the family cottage. She studied books about etching and taught at the
Herron Art School to earn a living. Evelynne married art student George
Mess in 1925. They studied in France in 1929, and by 1934 her etchings,
aquatints, and block prints were in major shows across the U.S.
Evelynne organized the Indiana Society of Printmakers. She and George
moved to and old farmhouse in Brown County, and they began painting
there. Evelynne was also president of the Indiana Federation of Arts
Clubs.
Messick, Dale (1906- )
Cartoonist – South Bend, Hobart. Dale was named Dalia at birth.
She was born in South Bend and lived in Gary. Her father was an artist
and her mother was a milliner. Dale graduated form high school in
Hobart. She drew her first cartoon strip in grade five. She studied at
the Art Institute of Chicago and designed greeting cards for a Chicago
firm to help her family during the Depression. Dale went to New York,
and at that time changed her name from Dalia to Dale because she wasn't
taken seriously as a female cartoonist. Dale created the "Brenda Starr"
comic strip, in which a female is a fashionable, adventurous red-headed
crime reporter. Dale moved to California in 1990 and began a cartoon
for older people called "Granny Glamour." At one time, the Brenda Starr
comic strip was syndicated in 250 papers nationally. The National
Cartoon Society honored her twice for "Best Story Script." Dale wrote
her autobiography entitled Still Stripping at Eighty. She is
referred to as Brenda Starr's Mama. A documentary film was made of her
and 3 other female cartoonists; the film was called Funny Ladies. At
age 92 Dale kept her Harley Davidson motorcycle in her garage although
she could no longer ride it.
Peddle, Juliette ( - )
Architect – Terre Haute. Juliette has received worldwide
recognition for her architectural work. She is one of the few women to
be licensed to practice architecture in two states - Indiana and
Illinois. Juliette received her architectural degree at the University
of Michigan and studied further in Europe. She worked for architectural
firms in Chicago. In 1927 she arranged and exhibit on "Women in
Architecture" for the first Women's World's Fair. She came to Terre
Haute to work with an architectural firm and later opened her own firm.
She edited the Vigo County Historical Society publication for 29 years
and designed several buildings in Terre Haute. An apartment complex in
Terre Haute is named in her honor.
Say, Lucy Sistare (1801-1886)
Artist, educator – New Harmony. Lucy was educated at Marie
Fretageot's School in Philadelphia; she studied drawing and painting
there with famous artists Lesueur and Audubon. Lucy came to New Harmony
on the "Boatload of Knowledge." She met her future husband, Thomas Say,
on the trip. Her husband was an internationally known scientist in the
areas of botany and entomology. Lucy drew and hand-colored 75 drawings
of shells to illustrate Thomas' textbook American Conchology. She
taught art in the schools of New Harmony.
Schrock, Emma (1924 - )
Artist – Nappanee. Emma is an Old Order Mennonite folk artist who
painted her childhood memories and everyday life in her farming
community.
Shulz, Ada Walter (1870-1928)
Artist – Terre Haute, Indianapolis, Nashville. Ada moved to
Indianapolis with her mother after the death of her architect father.
She then moved to Chicago to attend the Art Institute of Chicago. She
received a prize there in 1917 and other recognition from the Hoosier
Salon in 1926 and 1928. Ada married fellow artist Adolph Shulz; they
studied in Paris and Munich. After the birth of her son, Ada continued
her artwork while caring for her son and did many paintings of mothers
and children. She often painted outdoors. The family spent winters in
Wisconsin and summers in Brown County. In 1918 they made Brown County
their year-round residence. Ada exhibited her artwork locally as well
as in Indianapolis and Chicago. She was the founder of the Brown County
Art Gallery Association. Her paintings appeared in magazines such as
Women's Home Companion. Ada's paintings are in galleries in Chicago,
Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Bloomington, and Brown County. In 1998 the
Indiana State Museum held an exhibit of her works entitled Children and
Sunlight.
Spencer, Mary Jones (1900- )
Artist – Terre Haute.
Taggart, Lucy (1880-1960)
Artist – Indianapolis. Lucy grew up in a privileged family. Her
father was Thomas Taggart, a mayor of Indianapolis, U.S. Senator, and
developer of French Lick. Lucy received a master's degree from Smith
College; she studied under such noted artists as William Forsyth and
William Merrit Chase. Lucy became a painting instructor and received
the J.I. Holcomb Ward in 1925. She was a member of the Hoosier Salon
during the years 1925 and 1926.
Tandy, Jennette ( - )
Educator, artist – Vevay. Jennette was one of the few artists in
the United States to do portrait weaving. She lived in a home that was
built as a saloon in 1816. Her combination living room-studio is in the
old barroom. Jennette graduated from Vevay in 1905 and taught there
afterwards. She later received a Ph.D. from Columbia University.
Jennette taught at Franklin College and The Graduate School of Columbia
University. When ill health and surgery forced her to resign, Jennette
turned her attention to art. She studied in Cincinnati, Louisville,
with Indian weavers in Arizona, and in Europe. Her tapestries are
exhibited throughout the country. Jennette belonged to the Pen and
Brush Club in New York and to the New York Society of Craftsmen.
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Arbuckle, Dorothy Fry (1910- )
Novelist, reporter, musician, business executive. – Lake Village.
Wrote
Andy's Dan'l Boone Rifle, a tale of friendly Indians and
pioneers in
Northwest Indiana in the 1800s. Dorothy also managed a fuel oil
business,
composed over 200 musical works, and wrote children's novels.
Blackwell, Katrina Lowther (1950- )
Business entrepreneur. First woman president of American Red Ball
Transit Company. Second woman of a nation–wide household goods
moving company in the U.S.
Capehart, Harriet Holmes, Ph.D., Ll.D. (1917- )
Businesswoman – Indianapolis. First woman elected
trustee–at–large of the University of Indianapolis (1969).
Harriett was also the first woman director of the Indianapolis Power and
Light Company.
Carleton, Emma Nunemacher (1850-1924)
Businesswoman – New Albany. Educated in new Albany Public
Schools, Tousley's Academy, and DePauw College, Mrs. Carleton was well
known as a contributor to newspapers including the New York Times,
Chicago Record Herald, Detroit Free Press, and Indianapolis Journal.
She also wrote for the Youth's Companion and other magazines, to
which she contributed poems, feature articles, humorous sketches, and
articles on collecting antiques. She was an associate editor with
William Fortune on the Indianapolis Weekly Press, published by Mr.
Fortune in the late 1880s. Emma's father had a bookstore in New Albany
for many years, which is where she developed a knowledge of and interest
in literature, She opened her own bookstore, which she called "The
Un–Beknownst Book Shop."
Cordray, Diana Jones. (1945- )
Businesswoman. First woman and youngest executive director of the
Indiana Real Estate Commission (1977).
Gallagher, Mary Vyverberg (1936- )
Businesswoman – Indianapolis. Mary was the first person in the
U.S. to open and independently owned large-size women's fashion store
(Mary V in Indianapolis).
Garman, Phyllis ( - )
Business executive, philanthropist – New Albany. CEO of Key
Communications Service of New Albany.
Gilbreth, Lillian Moller (1878-1972)
Businesswoman, engineer – Lafayette. Lillian grew up in
California. She met her husband Frank in Boston at the Public Library.
Lillian received a doctorate degree at Columbia University in New York;
her dissertation was on "The Psychology of Management." She and her
husband formed a business partnership and had their offices in their
home. Their 12 children were raised according to Lillian and Frank's
theories of efficiency and management. Two of the children chronicled
their upbringing in the popular book Cheaper by the Dozen. As a
professor of engineering at Purdue University, she encouraged women to
be engineers, wrote articles on home management for popular magazines,
and designed equipment to make homes more efficient for the disabled.
Among her many honors were 20 honorary degrees, the Women's Hall of
Fame, and the first woman to be elected to the National Academy of
Engineering.
Gross, Rebecca Overpeck (1948- )
Businesswoman – Indianapolis. Rebecca was the first woman senior
vice president and general counsel of Eli Lilly and Company.
Hammond, Mary Virginia (1899- )
Businesswoman. World's Fair manager.
Hapgood, May ( - )
CEO.
Harcourt, Jean Ann (1952- )
Businesswoman – Milroy. First woman chair of the Indiana
Manufacturers Association (an organization of 1800 Indiana manufacturing
companies). She is President and CEO of Harcourt Industries.
House, Mrs. Honor Gregory ( - )
Businesswoman, advertising executive. Rose to fame in advertising
circles in Cleveland.
Israelov, Rhoda Kreinen (1940- )
Businesswoman – Indianapolis. First woman in Indiana to write a
regular newspaper column on finance (Indianapolis Business Journal)
(1983); first woman vice president of E.F. Hutton in Indiana (1986);
first woman vice president of Smith Barney in Indiana.
Jenckes, Virginia (1878-1975)
Businesswoman, congresswoman – Terre Haute. The death of
Virginia's husband in 1921 left her to run a one thousand acre farm and
grain business. She also had a young daughter to care for. Virginia
ran for Democratic representative to Congress successfully in 1932,
giving 200 speeches in the Sixth Congressional District. She was the
first Indiana woman to be elected to Congress. She supported most New
Deal bills and advocated for women's issues. During her third term she
became a super-patriot and anti-communist and made some enemies in her
own party. She was defeated in her subsequent race for Congress in
1940. Virginia remained in Virginia for many years and returned to
Terre Haute in 1971. She died in 1975 in Terre Haute.
Kapsalis, Becky Demas (1938- )
Businesswoman – Carmel. First woman to own and operate a
specialty retail soccer business in Indiana.
Kelly, Leslie A. (1945- )
Businesswoman. Leslie was co-founder and first president of the Indiana
Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (1984).
She was also the first woman on the Small Business Administration's
Statewide Advisory Council (1985). Leslie was the first woman names as
Distinguished Speaker at the annual training meeting in Saudi Arabia
(1995).
Miller, Patricia Polito ( - )
Along with Barbara Baakgaard, Patricia was co-owner and co-president of
Vera Bradley Designs. Patricia was the variety of bags people were
carrying and drew designs for garment bags and purses. In 1986 they
built a large business building in Fort Wayne and named the company for
Barbara's mother. Patricia and Barbara began the Vera Bradley Golf
Classic in 1994 to raise money for breast cancer research. Thousands of
stores now carry Vera Bradley products. Patricia was recognized by the
state of Indiana in 1987 as "Entrepreneur of the Year."
Raclin, Ernestine Morris ( - )
Businesswoman, community leader – South Bend.
Skinner, Claire ( - )
Businesswoman, lawyer – Middlebury. Claire is the CEO of Coachman
Industries, which makes recreational vehicles. This family-owned
company employs several thousand people around the U.S. and is one of
the largest corporations in the country headed by a woman. Claire
attended college in Texas and became a management trainer at her
family's travel trailer manufacturing plant in Texas, working in all
aspects of the business. She graduated from Notre Dame law school and
became a trial lawyer in Chicago. She joined the family business as
president of the advertising division in 1987.
Stewart, Sallie Wyatt (1881-1951)
Educator, businesswoman – Evansville. Sallie worked her way
through high school and teacher training to become a teacher in the
segregated Evansville School for 50 years. She started a nursery school
for African-American children and founded the Phyllis Wheatley branch of
the YWCA in Evansville. Sallie was president of the Indiana State
Federation of Colored Women's Clubs from 1921 through 1928. She was
elected president of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs
in 1928 and was a delegate to the International Council of Women in
Vienna. Sallie and her husband left a huge estate, which was used to
help young African-American women.
Streeter, Catherine Armstrong (1874- )
Businesswoman, insurance – Terre Haute, Muncie. Catherine was
left a widow with three small children in 1903. Her husband had run a
glass manufacturing business in Muncie. Catherine moved to Terre Haute
and started an insurance business, although she had no formal business
training. Her business grew to be a large insurance agency in Terre
Haute.
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Ahern, Mary Eileen (1860-1938)
Librarian – Spencer. Editor of Public Libraries Journal.
Extended public libraries into small towns. Mary Eileen was known
internationally and represented the American Library Association at a
meeting
in France in 1919.
Blaker, Eliza Cooper (1854-1926)
Educator – Indianapolis. Eliza Blaker's name is synonymous with
kindergarten and education for young children in Indiana. She founded
both the Indianapolis Free Kindergarten Society, which established 60
kindergartens, and the Children's Aid Society. She was particularly
interested in disadvantaged children and families. She wanted children
to learn from their activities rather than by rote. She led a
victorious fight for a local tax to support kindergartens. She founded
and supervised a park and playground. The Kindergarten Normal Training
School, which she established in her home in 1883, became the Teacher's
College of Indianapolis. Ms. Blaker was president, and all the
trustees, teachers, and students were women. Over 20,000 women
completed the teacher education course. The college was affiliated with
Butler College in 1926, becoming the Butler University College of
Education, and moved to that campus in 1933. The Eliza Blaker Club was
formed to continue her philosophy. Public School 55 in Indianapolis
bears her name. Her philosophy has influenced kindergartens around the
country.
Bradley, Lydia Moss (1816-1908)
Educated in a small log schoolhouse in Vevay, Lydia went on to found a
university in Peoria, Illinois, which bears her name. Her husband
Tobias was from Kentucky. They did not want to live in a state that had
slaves, so they moved to Peoria in 1847. Lydia's father had given her
100 acres of Indiana land. She had shown great business skills and had
made money by clearing the timber. They had money to invest when they
moved to Illinois and were able to become wealthy. They built a lovely
home on Moss Avenue. They were philanthropists, helping to raise funds
for the Peoria Public Library and the Universalist Church. Much sadness
came into their lives – all six of their children died. Tobias
died in a horse and carriage accident. Lydia bought farms, raised
goats, sold real estate, gave property to form a hospital, funded and
planned a park in honor of her daughter, Laura, and started an institute
for the education of young people in 1897 when she was 81 – a
living memorial to Tobias and her children.
Brand, Peg ( - )
Educator – Bloomington. Indiana University faculty member known
for work in women's studies
Brown, Leora ( - )
Educator – Corydon. Founder of school for African–American
children in Corydon. The school is now open as a historical site.
Brown, Mazine ( - )
Preservationist – Corydon, Indianapolis. Maxine Brown was
determined to restore the wooden school building built to educate black
children in Corydon in 1981. She had two reasons for wanting the
building restored: it is the oldest school still standing in Indiana
originally built for African–Americans, and her aunt Leora Brown
taught there for 26 years. Maxine was born in Corydon and graduated
from high school there, attended Roosevelt University, and directed
federal remedial education programs in Indianapolis public schools. Her
next career move was to join the Lily Endowment as a program officer.
She returned to Corydon in 1978 to take care of her mother and has since
worked as vice president for the Kentucky Foundation on Women. She
purchased the former Corydon Colored School and has received grants to
restore it. The African–American landmark now serves as a meeting
place for community cultural events.
Browning, Eliza ( - )
Librarian – Indianapolis. Known as a pioneer in library work.
Butler, Evelyn Mitchell ( - )
Educator – Indianapolis. Was the granddaughter of the founder of
Butler University. Evelyn taught in the field of English Literature.
She served as the Dean of Women and President of the Faculty Club at the
University.
Cable, Mary ( - )
Educator – Indianapolis, Bloomington. Educated in Kansas and at
Indiana University, the University of Chicago, and Columbia University,
Mary became a teacher in Indianapolis. For 40 years Mary served as a
teacher, principal, and director of student teaching. As the first
president of the Colored Women's Civic Club, she urged club members to
work to help those in poverty and to speak out to end discrimination.
Calvin, Jessie Carrithers (1868-1959)
Physician, health activist – Fort Wayne. Dr. Calvin spoke to many
groups to educate them in the areas of health, hygiene, nutrition, and
disease prevention. She helped raise money for a visiting nurse to go
into the homes of those who could not afford health care. She graduated
from Northwestern University Medical School for Women in 1898. Dr,
Calvin practiced medicine until she was 71 years old. She was the first
woman to be an officer in the Fort Wayne Medical Society.
Dietz, Elizabeth Ogden ( -1981)
Principal , teacher – Dearborn County. Elizabeth served as
principal and teacher at New Alsace High School. There were 30 students
in the school. In 1927 she became the first woman to coach a basketball
team in Indiana. She was educated at Indiana University and the
University of Chicago.
Dinsmore, Roberta (1930- )
Educator – Vermillion County. First woman public school
superintendent in Indiana (North Vermillion Community Schools).
Dumont, Julia Louisa Carey (1794-1857)
Educator, author poet – Vevay. Julia was the mother of 11
children and a teacher of three generations of children in Vevay. She
was highly educated for a woman of that era. Her early years were spent
in New York. After marrying John Dumont, they moved to Vevay in 1814.
In 1831 Julia joined the "College of Teachers" in Cincinnati, which was
a conference held for one week each year to discuss teaching methods.
She began a high school in her home, and among her pupils were Edward
and George Eggleston, who became famous Indiana authors. She was a
frequent contributor to a wide variety of periodicals and was a
published poet.
Dye, Charity (1849-1921)
Educator, author – Indianapolis. Charity wrote Torch Bearers
of Indiana, an early tribute to Indiana women of achievement. She
graduated from the Normal School of Indianapolis. In 1900 she received
a degree from the University of Chicago. She worked as a public school
teacher. Charity authored the historical pageant for the Indiana
Centennial in 1914.
Eikerman, Alma (1908-1995)
Educator, artist – Bloomington. Alma was educated at Columbia
University. She arrived in Bloomington to join the Indiana University
faculty in 1947. As a distinguished metalsmith professor in the
Department of Fine Arts, she built the metalsmithing department from a
few students to 128. She learned about ancient designs by traveling
widely to museums abroad and experimented with these designs in her own
work. Many of her students became noted artists and teachers. Her
metal work is displayed in many museums and private collections.
Fretageot, Marie Duclos (1793-1833)
Educator – New Harmony.
Fry, Mattie ( - )
Educator – Anderson. Mattie dedicated 47 years to the public
school system. She established the first safety patrols in the U.S.
Safety patrols allowed children under adult supervision help other
students cross the streets to get to school safely. Mattie worked as an
educator at local and state levels.
Graydon, Katharine Merrill ( -1934)
Educator – Indianapolis. Katharine was niece and namesake of
Catharine Merrill. Katharine was a language and literature professor at
Butler University and served as Chair of the Butler University Alumni
Association in 1911. A library at Butler is named for her. After her
death, she left her extensive personal library to Butler. A group of
her former students who had formed the Katharine Merrill Graydon Club
furnished a room in the library to house her book collection as a
memorial to her. The collection contains rare books dating back as far
as 1583.
Guerin, Mother Theodore Anne-Theresa (1798-1856)
Catholic nun and educator – Terre Haute. Mother Guerin came from
France to New York and then to the wilderness that was Indiana in 1840.
She was accompanied by five other nuns. The academy she established was
the first Catholic boarding school for the higher education of girls in
Indiana. She was a Mother Superior and founded Sisters of Providence
and St. Mary's of the Woods College. By the time of her death, she had
established schools in several sites in Indians. In 1998 Mother Guerin
was beatified by Pope Paul II. She is buried at St. Mary's of the Woods
College.
Haas, Mary (1912-1998)
Educator, linguist – Richmond.
Mary was a graduate of Earlham College, the University of Chicago, and
Yale, where she received a Ph.D. in 1935. She did fieldwork on
endangered or extinct languages of Native American tribes. During World
War II she prepared materials and taught languages to Army personnel.
Mary was also the author of books on language and cultures. She was a
professor of Linguistics at Berkeley.
Hamilton, Edith (1867-1963)
Writer, educator – Fort Wayne. Schooled at home by her parents,
Edith learned Latin and Greek by age seven. She attended Bryn Mawr and
also won a scholarship to the University of Leipzig in Germany. Edith
served as the headmistress of Bryn Mawr School for Girls from 1896-1922.
She began her writing career when she retired at the age of 60. Titles
she wrote include The Greek Way, The Roman Way, The
Prophets of Israel, and Mythology. Her book The Greek
Way was chosen as a Book of the Month Club selection. Edith was
named an honorary citizen of Athens, Greece, in 1951. She was also
honored with the Golden Cross from King Paul of Greece. Honorary
degrees she received came from Yale, Rochester University, and other
institutions.
Madeleva, Sister Mary (1887- )
Educator, poet – Notre Dame, St Mary's. Sister Mary's secular
name was Evaline Wolff. She was a member of the Sisters of the Holy
Cross. Sister Mary graduated from the St. Mary's College at Notre Dame
and obtained other advanced degrees from the University of California
(Ph.D.), Manhattanville College (Dr. of Lit.), and Indiana University
(LLD). Sister Mary has lectured at many colleges and was president of
St. Mary's College. Sister Mary published 12 volumes of poetry and an
autobiography entitled My First Seventy Years.
McBride, Angela Barron, Ph.D., R.N. (1941- )
Nurse, educator – Bloomington. Angela was the first nurse to
achieve the rank of Distinguished Professor at Indiana University
(1992). She was also the first woman from Indiana to be elected to the
Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Science (1995).
McRae, Emma ( - )
Educator – Lafayette. Emma served as Dean of Women for 26 years
at Purdue University and was an English professor there also. She was
the first female president of Indiana State Teachers Association in
1897.
Mendelson, Rose Marilyn Peterson (1924- )
Musician, educator – New Albany. Rose earned her music degrees
from Indiana University and Michigan State, studying with prominent
pianists. From 1962-74 she was on the administrative staff of the New
York Philharmonic Orchestra. She also worked as a grant supervisor for
PBS television in New York.
Meredith, Virginia Claypool (1848-1936)
Farmer, educator, lecturer – Cambridge City, Lafayette. Virginia
was born in Fayette County. Her father and grandfather were prominent
pioneers. Virginia graduated from Glendale College near Cincinnati in
1866. She married Henry Clay Meredith in 1870 and moved to Cambridge
City, where together they farmed a large stock operation. When her
husband died, she took over as manager. Virginia became the first woman
in the U.S. invited to speak to a group about raising crops and
livestock when she spoke in 1889 at the Farmers Institute. She was the
Indiana representative on the board of the Chicago World's Fair in 1882.
She began the home economics program at the University of Minnesota,
where for 5 years she taught classes. Virginia also helped found the
Indiana Home Economics Association at Purdue University in 1913 and
served as the first president. Virginia wrote articles for farm
journals and was editor of the women's page of the Breeder's Gazette.
She was known as "Indiana's most widely known farmer" and the "Queen of
American Agriculture." She was also the first female member of the
Purdue University Board of Trustees.
Merrill, Catharine (1824-1900)
Educator, Civil War nurse – Corydon, Indianapolis. Catharine went
from her birthplace (Corydon) by covered wagon to Indianapolis at the
age of nine months. Her father had been named the state treasurer, and
he also began a school in which Catharine studied. Catharine began
helping with the teaching and eventually went to the Indianapolis Female
Institute. She studied literature in Germany. During the Civil War,
Catharine spent time reading and acting as nurse to Confederate
prisoners. She was asked by the governor to write a history of
Indiana's role in the Civil War. Catharine continued teaching and
writing. With other women, she established the Home for Friendless
Women. In 1869 Catharine was the second woman in the U.S. to be named
to a university professorship. She wrote The Man Shakespeare and
Other Essays in 1902. The Merrill-Graydon family papers are located
in the Indiana Historical Society.
Merritt, Doris H., M.D. (1923- )
Educator, administrator – Indianapolis.
Morrison, Catherine Morris ( - )
Educator, activist – Salem, Bloomington. Catherine attended
Washington County Seminary in Salem, run by John Morrison. Her Quaker
parents sent her to the Quaker-run Westown Boarding School near
Philadelphia at age 16. She returned to Salem at age 18. Catherine
then married widower John Morrison in 1932. Their first child, Sarah
Parke, was born, and Catherine tutored her in Quaker scripture and
classical subjects. Catherine began to attend temperance meetings and
to lecture and write for the temperance movement. With her husband,
Catherine opened Salem Female Seminary in 1834 in a four-story brick
building. They hired a female teacher (rare at that time) from the
East. The family moved to Bloomington in 1840, where John was chair of
Ancient Languages at IU. They returned to Salem in 1843. Catherine
continued to tutor Sarah at home until she was sent East for more
schooling.
Morrison, Sarah Parke (1834-1919)
Educator – Salem, Bloomington. Sarah was the first female student
to enroll at and graduate from Indiana University. She began taking
classes at IU in 1867 and graduated in 1869. She was among the first
women to attend any state university. In 1873 she became the first
female faculty member at Indiana University. She fought for equal
status for women. Her Quaker grandparents came to Indiana in 1814
because of the slave system in North Carolina; they settled in Salem
(Washington County). Before being admitted to IU, Sarah graduated from
Mt. Holyoke and attended Vassar. Sarah's father, state treasurer and on
the IU Board of Trustees, thought it was time they admitted women. He
gave Sarah a $5 inducement to enroll. At age 34 she went back to
school, as a freshman, to serve as a role model for other young women.
The next year, 13 females enrolled. Sarah gave the commencement oration
entitled "From War, Peace." After graduation, she was appointed tutor
and then adjunct professor of English literature at IU. She also was
"Advisor to Women." Later Sarah was principal of Glendale College in
Ohio and teacher at Western Seminary in Oxford, Ohio. She worked for
temperance. She also urged IU to appoint a woman to the Board of
Trustees.
Owen, Jane Dale (1806-1861)
Educator – New Harmony.
Oyer, Mary K., Dr. (1923- )
Musician, educator – Goshen. Mary is an internationally known
musicologist and hymnologist and was a distinguished professor of Fine
Arts at Goshen College. Three generations have learned to sing, play,
and appreciate music from Mary. Her former students often cite her as
their most influential teacher. She was the first string player to earn
a doctor of musical arts performance degree at the University of
Michigan, earning the degree during summer school while teaching the
fine arts courses and directing and touring with the Motet Singers at
Goshen College. Mary has directed numerous workshops on church music.
She has been a professor of church music at the Associated Mennonite
Biblical Seminary in Elkhart. She is active in the Hymn Society of
America and was the first woman to serve on groups to establish two new
Mennonite Hymnals. Mary had a Fulbright Fellowship to Africa in 1969.
A Lilly Foundation grant allowed her to spend two years researching
African music in the Kenya National Archive. In 1999 she taught church
music at the Presbyterian Theological College and Seminary in Taiwan.
At age 80 she led a tour group to Africa focusing on African art, music,
culture, and history. Mary was also chosen as one of 20 most
influential Mennonites of the 20th century. She still lives in the
house in which she grew up, next to Goshen College.
Perry, Cynthia (1928- )
Educator, diplomat – Terre Haute. Born and educated in Terre
Haute, Cynthia received an Ed. D. from the University of Massachusetts.
She became a university professor and dean of student affairs. From
1974 through 1976 she was a member of the Peace Corps in Kenya. She was
the U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone and Burundi in the 1980s. Cynthia
also worked for the Agency for International Development on African
educational and training programs. She has received the distinguished
alumnus award from both the University of Massachusetts and Indiana
State University.
Plummer, Mary Wright (1856-1916)
Librarian, teacher, poet – Richmond. Mary was educated in local
schools and studied at Wellesely from 1881-1882. In 1887 she attended a
recently opened library school at Columbia College. She worked as a
librarian in St. Louis and Brooklyn. Mary was in charge of the library
school at the Pratt Institute and was delegate in 1900 to the
International Congress of Libraries in Paris. She was head of the
library school at the New York Public Library. The American Library
Association named her president of their association in 1915.
Porter, Beulah ( - )
Educator – Indianapolis. Beulah was the principal of PS 40. She
gave up teaching in 1893 to study medicine. She was the first African-
American female physician to open a practice in Indianapolis. Beulah
helped organize a club (WIC), which set up a tuberculosis tent camp fro
African Americans.
Reed, Suellen ( - )
Educator, public official – Indianapolis. Suellen was elected as
Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Indiana in 1992 and
1996.
Say, Lucy Sistare (1801-1886)
Artist, educator – New Harmony. Lucy was educated at Marie
Fretageot's School in Philadelphia; she studied drawing and painting
there with famous artists Lesueur and Audubon. Lucy came to New Harmony
on the "Boatload of Knowledge." She met her future husband, Thomas Say,
on the trip. Her husband was an internationally known scientist in the
areas of botany and entomology. Lucy drew and hand-colored 75 drawings
of shells to illustrate Thomas' textbook American Conchology. She
taught art in the schools of New Harmony.
Seegmiller, Wilhelmina (1866-1913)
Art educator – Indianapolis. Wilhelmina was Canadian-born and
moved to Indianapolis. She influenced many future artists. Wilhelmina
felt that all children should be exposed to art of all types and
periods. She is said to have revolutionized art education in the public
schools. She developed a series of eight Applied Art Drawing books, one
for each grade, which were used throughout the U.S. Wilhelmina also
wrote and illustrated three poetry books for children and pioneered
cooperation between public schools and art museums.
Sewell, May Wright (1844-1920)
Educator, peace advocate – Indianapolis. She was born and
educated in Wisconsin, taught school to earn money to attend
Northwestern University, and became a teacher in several states upon her
graduation. She married Theodore Sewall and moved to Indianapolis,
where Theodore had established a classical school for boys. Together
they established a classical school for girls. It is said that May
organized 50 clubs of various types. She was an early advocate of equal
right for women's education. May founded the International Council of
Women and served two terms as president. She also served as an officer
in the Indiana Suffrage Association; U.S. delegate to the Universal
Congress of Women in Paris in 1889; and formed a group which was a
forerunner of the American Association of University Women. May
traveled widely, lecturing on world peace. She was one of the founders
of the Indianapolis Herron Art Institute. She was the author of the
book Women, World War, and Permanent Peace in 1915. She also
wrote Higher Education of Women in the Western States of the U.S.
and History of the Women's Suffrage Movement in Indiana.
Shoemaker, Carolyn (1865-1933)
Educator – Lafayette.
Smith, Kathy ( - )
Educator, politician – New Albany. Kathy served as State Senator
while continuing to teach at Hazelwood Junior High in New Albany. She
focused on legislation to support women and protect against child abuse.
Kathy assumed the post of Education Aide to Governor O'Bannon in 1997.
Stein, Virginia Tomlinson (1840-1924)
Pioneer, librarian – Logansport, Lafayette. Virginia was a public
librarian in Lafayette, working tirelessly to build the collection. She
retired when she was 80.
Stewart, Sallie Wyatt (1881-1951)
Educator, businesswoman – Evansville. Sallie worked her way
through high school and teacher training to become a teacher in the
segregated Evansville School for 50 years. She started a nursery school
for African-American children and founded the Phyllis Wheatley branch of
the YWCA in Evansville. Sallie was president of the Indiana State
Federation of Colored Women's Clubs from 1921 through 1928. She was
elected president of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs
in 1928 and was a delegate to the International Council of Women in
Vienna. Sallie and her husband left a huge estate, which was used to
help young African-American women.
Stratton, Dorothy, Dr. (1899- )
Educator, military officer – Purdue. Dorothy was the first full-
time Dean at Purdue University after arriving there in 1933. In 1942
she became the first director of SPARs, the Women's Reserve of the U.S.
Coast Guard Reserves. In SPARs, 11,000 women were under her direction.
Dorothy was also the first director of personnel for the International
Monetary Fund, examining installations in many countries and was the
Executive Director of the Girl Scouts. Her formal education includes an
M.A. from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. from Columbia
University.
Tandy, Jennette ( - )
Educator, artist – Vevay. Jennette was one of the few artists in
the United States to do portrait weaving. She lived in a home that was
built as a saloon in 1816. Her combination living room-studio is in the
old barroom. Jennette graduated from Vevay in 1905 and taught there
afterwards. She later received a Ph.D. from Columbia University.
Jennette taught at Franklin College and The Graduate School of Columbia
University. When ill health and surgery forced her to resign, Jennette
turned her attention to art. She studied in Cincinnati, Louisville,
with Indian weavers in Arizona, and in Europe. Her tapestries are
exhibited throughout the country. Jennette belonged to the Pen and
Brush Club in New York and to the New York Society of Craftsmen.
Thornbrough, Emma Lou ( -1993)
Educator, scholar, author, historian – Indianapolis. Emma Lou
received her doctoral degree from the University of Michigan and was a
faculty member at Butler University. She is the author of nine books
and many articles and chapters of books. She taught courses on American
Constitutional history, African-American history, the history of the
American South, and Greek and Roman history. Emma Lou was dedicated to
civil rights and belonged to the Indianapolis NAACP and the Human
Relations Council. She also served on the editorial board of
Traces magazine upon its inception in 1980. Emma Lou received
the Martin Luther King Award from the Indianapolis Education Association
in 1966. The Indianapolis Urban League awarded her the Roy Wilkins
Award in 1991, and in 1992 she was the recipient of the Hoosier
Historian Award from the Indiana Historical Association. Emma Lou's
best-known books are The Negro in Indiana Before 1900 and
Indiana in the Civil War Era. The Thornbrough Award, named for
Emma Lou and her sister Gayle, is awarded annually for the best article
in the Indiana Magazine of History. A lecture series in their
honor was begun at Butler University in 1995 to discuss issues that were
important to the sisters.
Thornbrough, Gayle (1914-1999)
Editor, librarian, administrator – Indianapolis. Gayle was
educated at Butler University and the University of Michigan. She
served in the positions of editor, director of publications, librarian,
and executive secretary of the Indiana Historical Society for during the
47 years she was associated with the Society. She also was editor for
the Indiana Historical Bureau from 1947-1966 and was copy editor for
numerous books. Gayle was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by
Indiana University in 1983.
Towne, Marian ( - )
Author, educator – Indianapolis. Marian has taught English and
speech in high schools and college in four states. She is active in
church work on local and national levels. She has served on national
boards of Bread for the World and Church Women United. Marian has also
collaborated with Catherine Thrash, a survivor of Jonestown, Guyana, on
a book called the Onliest One Alive. Marian's other books
include A Midwest Gardener's Cookbook and Bread of Life:
Diaries and Memories of a Dakota Family, 1936-1945.
Top
Baldwin, Cora (Mrs. Chauncey ) ( - )
Environmentalist – Elkhart. Cora Baldwin joined the Elkhart
Chamber of
Commerce when it was unusual for women to be members. She founded and
was president of the Elkhart County Chapter of the Michiana Watershed
and
was the first woman to be a member of The Board of Directors of the
Mississippi Valley Association. She was a member of the Advisory
Council on
Waters and Minerals of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. She
worked on flood control projects and led the drive to develop
Bonneyville Mill
State Park.
Buell, Dorothy (1886-1977)
Environmentalist – Portage. Led fight to save the Dunes. After
working for 14 years, Dorothy and her committee saw success when
President Johnson signed the bill authorizing the Indiana Dunes National
Seashore.
Gray, Alice (1881-1925)
Environmentalist – Chesterton. Born and raised in Chicago, Alice
was educated and worked at the University of Chicago. When she became
tired of the big city in 1915, she moved to the Dunes, which was then a
remote and wild area, and lived in a shack. She wrote and spoke about
the need to preserve the Dunes. Reporters interrupted the peace she
sought as they interviewed her about her views and published negative
reports about her free lifestyle in Chicago newspapers. The reporters
dubbed her "Diana of the Dunes." The Dunes became Indiana Dunes
National Lakeshore in 1972.
Strauss, Juliet V. Humphries (1863-1918)
Environmentalist, Journalist – Rockville. Juliet was influential
in establishing Turkey Run as Indiana's first state park. She wrote
columns about homemaking for a local paper and the Indianapolis News
Journal. Juliet published a popular book of essays entitled The
Ideas of a Plain Country Woman.
Top
Bondy, Jane (Ozashinquah) (1810-1877)
Native American of Miami Tribe - Mississinawa Reservation Area (Peoria).
Daughter of Frances Slocum. Jane was featured in "A Miami Woman's Life"
and was the woman with the back view in George Winter's painting of her
mother and sister (Traces 9 (2) 4-11).
Boyd, Barbara A. (1929- )
African-American newscaster – Indianapolis. First
African–American woman on television news in Indiana (WRTV-6).
Breckenridge, Cora Smith (1937- )
Speech pathologist – Elkhart. Speech pathologist with Elkhart
Public Schools. Cora was the first African–American trustee of
Indiana University, elected in 1997 by the alumni. From 1996–1999
she was a member of the University Alumni Executive Council.
Brown, Leora ( - )
Educator – Corydon. Founder of school for African–American
children in Corydon. The school is now open as a historical site.
Byfield, Rev. E. Anne Henning (1950- )
African-American minister – Indianapolis. First woman senior
pastor at Robinson Community African Methodist Episcopal Church. Anne
was the first woman to preach an annual sermon at the Indiana Conference
of the Fourth Episcopal District (1987).
Calvin, Virginia Brown (1945- )
African-American educator – South Bend. First woman and first
African–American superintendent of South Bend Community Schools
Corporation.
Coney, Mattie (1907-1988)
Community activist, African-American leader, teacher –
Indianapolis. Founder of community projects for African-Americans.
Mattie also initiated community action programs, which merited national
attention as model projects.
Conner, Mekinges ( - )
Native American of Delaware Tribe – Conners Prairie near
Noblesville. Mekinges was the wife of William Conner and was sent to
Oklahoma in 1821.
Dark Rain ( - )
Native American of Shawnee Tribe, author – Bloomington. Wrote
several books and collaborated with husband and author James Alexander
Thom.
Evans, Mari ( - )
African-American poet.
Fox, Lillian Thomas (1886-1917)
Journalist, activist – Indianapolis. Lillian was a pioneer in
journalism in Indianapolis. She first wrote for the Freeman, a
nationally prominent "black" newspaper, and became the first African-
American correspondent for the Indianapolis News. Lillian was a noted
national speaker on African-American women's rights. She formed the
Indianapolis Women's Empowerment Club. Although she wrote a column for
Black Hoosiers for 14 years, she was never given a byline stating that
she was the writer.
Freeman-Wilson, Karen Marie (1960- ) Attorney, judge –
Gary. Karen Freeman-Wilson became the first black woman judge of the
Gary City Court. Previously, she was in private practice and a public
defender. For three and a half years the Gary native directed the
Indiana Civil Rights Commission. Born in Gary, she received an M.A. and
A.B. in 1982 from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She
graduated from the Harvard Law School in 1985 with M.A. and J.D.
degrees. Before becoming judge she had held a number of posts including
public defender for the Lake County Defender's Office in Crown Point,
Indiana (1989) and director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission in
Indianapolis (1989-1992). She had also established a private practice
and handled civil and criminal litigation. (Source: Black Firsts:
4,000 Ground-Breaking and Pioneering Historical Events, 3rd ed., p.
366.)
Haas, Mary (1912-1998)
Educator, linguist – Richmond.
Mary was a graduate of Earlham College, the University of Chicago, and
Yale, where she received a Ph.D. in 1935. She did fieldwork on
endangered or extinct languages of Native American tribes. During World
War II she prepared materials and taught languages to Army personnel.
Mary was also the author of books on language and cultures. She was a
professor of Linguistics at Berkeley.
Hall, Katie B. (1938- ) Politician –
Lake County (Gary). Katie was the first African-
American to be elected to the U.S. House of
Representatives, where she served from 1983-85.
She was one of the representatives who introduced
the congressional bill to make the birthday of Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. a federal holiday. Katie was born in
Mississippi in an all-black community. She was one of 12
children. In 1960 she moved to Gary, where she taught
Social Studies in the Gary Public Schools.
Hammil, Jan ( - )
Native American of Apache tribe, activist – Indianapolis. Jan
grew up on a reservation in New Mexico and moved to Indianapolis in
1972. She is an advocate for Native American issues in Indiana.
Jackson, Janet (1966- ) Singer and
entertainer – Gary. Janet is the youngest of the
nine famous Jackson children. She began performing at
age 7. Her family lived in Gary until they moved to
California to seek more opportunities in show business.
Janet is the winner of 8 honors from the Billboard Music
Awards, including top R & B artist. She is popular on the
concert circuit. Janet has also acted in several TV
shows and movies. Her album Rhythm Nation sold 7
million copies.
Jackson, LaToya (1967- ) Performer
– Gary. One of the Jackson family members.
Jordan, Susan Abigail (1871-1963)
Musician, conductor – Fort Wayne. Susan started an African-
American orchestra in Fort Wayne in the 1920s and was its conductor.
The orchestra played classical music at African-American churches.
Susan had studied music at Oberlin College before moving to Fort Wayne
in 1914.
Masters, Mary ( - )
Native American of Potawatomi Tribe, artist – Shipshewanna. Mary
is a full-blooded Potawatomi. She grew up on a reservation in the state
of Washington. She spent summers with her grandmother near Goshen; her
grandmother told her Indian legends. Mary dropped out of school because
other children did not treat her well. She married and raised a family.
Her granddaughter brought her a lump of clay, and she began to make
dolls resembling family members. Her art has evolved into a successful
business. She has been allowed to make portrait dolls of many famous
people, and Disney World and the Danbury Mint have requested Mary to
make dolls for them. Mary wants her work to teach people to understand
Native American culture. One of her favorite dolls is made to look like
her grandmother.
McArthur, Ruth ( - )
Musician – Indianapolis. Ruth's father was an African-American
physician from Tennessee who moved his family to Indianapolis in 1924.
He encouraged Ruth in her musical career. Ruth graduated from Tuskegee
Institute in Alabama, majoring in band-orchestra music. She went to
Fisk University for graduate work in music and served as music
supervisor in segregated schools in Indianapolis. Ruth opened the
McArthur Conservatory of Music on Indiana Avenue in 1946 when she was 30
years old. She offered music education in classical, jazz, and dance.
Ruth's students performed in parades, recitals, dances, conventions,
church ceremonies, and jazz clubs. She made music lessons available not
just to young people but to working adults who had always wanted to
study music, including returning G.I.s. In the college division,
students could earn a bachelor of music degree. The school closed in
1963.
Oyer, Mary K., Dr. (1923- )
Musician, educator – Goshen. Mary is an internationally known
musicologist and hymnologist and was a distinguished professor of Fine
Arts at Goshen College. Three generations have learned to sing, play,
and appreciate music from Mary. Her former students often cite her as
their most influential teacher. She was the first string player to earn
a doctor of musical arts performance degree at the University of
Michigan, earning the degree during summer school while teaching the
fine arts courses and directing and touring with the Motet Singers at
Goshen College. Mary has directed numerous workshops on church music.
She has been a professor of church music at the Associated Mennonite
Biblical Seminary in Elkhart. She is active in the Hymn Society of
America and was the first woman to serve on groups to establish two new
Mennonite Hymnals. Mary had a Fulbright Fellowship to Africa in 1969.
A Lilly Foundation grant allowed her to spend two years researching
African music in the Kenya National Archive. In 1999 she taught church
music at the Presbyterian Theological College and Seminary in Taiwan.
At age 80 she led a tour group to Africa focusing on African art, music,
culture, and history. Mary was also chosen as one of 20 most
influential Mennonites of the 20th century. She still lives in the
house in which she grew up, next to Goshen College.
Porter, Beulah ( - )
Educator – Indianapolis. Beulah was the principal of PS 40. She
gave up teaching in 1893 to study medicine. She was the first African-
American female physician to open a practice in Indianapolis. Beulah
helped organize a club (WIC), which set up a tuberculosis tent camp fro
African Americans.
Selby, Myra C. ( - )
Lawyer – Indianapolis. Myra sat among the five justices of the
Indiana Supreme Court as the first African-American and female to occupy
the bench of the state chamber. She was originally from Michigan and
later practiced labor and employment law in Washington, D.C. Myra also
served as Director of Health Care Policy under Governor Evan Bayh.
Siders, Lora Elizabeth (1919- )
Native American elder – Wabash, Peru. Lora belongs to two clans,
the Loon and the Turtle. Her Indian name is Monqua, which means loon (a
sacred bird to the Miamis). Lora wants to educate the Miami people in
both Indian and white ways and would like them to get a good education
in order to make a good living.
Slocum, Frances (Maconaquah) ( - )
Adopted Native American – Peru. Frances was a white child
captured by Native Americans who chose to remain with the tribe. She
was captured by Indians at her home in Pennsylvania when she was five.
Her siblings searched for her for many years. She lived in several
locations with native people. She married Shepoconah and came to reside
in the village called Deaf Man's Village, located on the Mississinewa
River. Their two sons died. Two daughters, Ke-ke-na-kush-wa (Cut
Finger) and O-zah-shin-quah (Yellow Leaf), survived. Approximately 20
percent of the Indiana Miami tribe descended from Frances. Her
brothers and sister miraculously located her when they were all elderly,
and although they begged her to come back to Pennsylvania, she chose to
remain with her familiar Indian surroundings and family. The artist
George Winter painted her portrait. When the Miami tribe was to be
moved to a Kansas reservation, her white nephew petitioned the U.S.
Congress to allow Frances' family to remain in Indiana. Her nephew
George Slocum and his family came to live and work with Frances and her
family. In 1900 a monument to Maconaquah and Sheponconah was erected.
The graveyard had to be moved in 1967 when a dam on the river flooded
the area. There are many memorials to Frances (Maconaquah) in Indiana:
The Frances Slocum Recreation Area; The Lost Sister Trail; the Frances
Slocum Trail; a high school, shopping center and bank; a Peru city park;
and in Pennsylvania there is a Frances Slocum State Park. A historical
novel by James Alexander Thom, Red Heart, relates the story of
Frances.
Stewart, Sallie Wyatt (1881-1951)
Educator, businesswoman – Evansville. Sallie worked her way
through high school and teacher training to become a teacher in the
segregated Evansville School for 50 years. She started a nursery school
for African-American children and founded the Phyllis Wheatley branch of
the YWCA in Evansville. Sallie was president of the Indiana State
Federation of Colored Women's Clubs from 1921 through 1928. She was
elected president of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs
in 1928 and was a delegate to the International Council of Women in
Vienna. Sallie and her husband left a huge estate, which was used to
help young African-American women.
Thornbrough, Emma Lou ( -1993)
Educator, scholar, author, historian – Indianapolis. Emma Lou
received her doctoral degree from the University of Michigan and was a
faculty member at Butler University. She is the author of nine books
and many articles and chapters of books. She taught courses on American
Constitutional history, African-American history, the history of the
American South, and Greek and Roman history. Emma Lou was dedicated to
civil rights and belonged to the Indianapolis NAACP and the Human
Relations Council. She also served on the editorial board of
Traces magazine upon its inception in 1980. Emma Lou received
the Martin Luther King Award from the Indianapolis Education Association
in 1966. The Indianapolis Urban League awarded her the Roy Wilkins
Award in 1991, and in 1992 she was the recipient of the Hoosier
Historian Award from the Indiana Historical Association. Emma Lou's
best-known books are The Negro in Indiana Before 1900 and
Indiana in the Civil War Era. The Thornbrough Award, named for
Emma Lou and her sister Gayle, is awarded annually for the best article
in the Indiana Magazine of History. A lecture series in their
honor was begun at Butler University in 1995 to discuss issues that were
important to the sisters.
Thorpe, Hannah (Kim-qua-tah) (1810- )
Native American of Miami Nation – Connersville, Jalapa. Hannah
(whose family name was originally Tharp) was taken captive as a child
from the Whitewater River Valley near Richmond, Indiana, during the War
of 1812. She was raised by the Miami chief's wife Co-po-no-quah; Hannah
was dressed as an Indian and give the name Kim-qua-tah, which means
"spirit child." Hannah married Me-tac-a-qua-sah, son of Chief Metocina.
The white men later called Me-tac-a-qua-sah Captain Dickson. He and
Hannah had two children. Hannah's father continued to search for her
and later found her at Black Raccoon's Village. She was integrated into
Indian life and did not wish to leave. Hannah's story ended tragically
when her husband was killed - she took her own life.
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Ball, Evelyn (1906- )
Historic preservationist – Lafayette. Evelyn saved the original
paintings
of American artist George Winter when they were being tossed out of the
window of a local building being demolished. She also saved his
sketchbook
and journals and gave them to the Tippecanoe County Historical Society.
She
served on the board of a number of preservation groups.
Beard, Mary Ritter (1876-1958)
Historian, author, women's rights activist – Indianapolis. While
living in
England with her husband Charles, Mary was influenced by the poor
conditions
of female industrial workers and the women suffragists. She combined
activism on women's issues with writing. In 1946 she published Women
as
a Force in History and wrote numerous other books on women's issues.
She established the World Center for Women's Archives to aid in the
understanding of women's role in history. She also co-authored a
popular
American history textbook series with her husband.
Brown, Mazine ( - )
Preservationist – Corydon, Indianapolis. Maxine Brown was
determined to restore the wooden school building built to educate black
children in Corydon in 1981. She had two reasons for wanting the
building restored: it is the oldest school still standing in Indiana
originally built for African–Americans, and her aunt Leora Brown
taught there for 26 years. Maxine was born in Corydon and graduated
from high school there, attended Roosevelt University, and directed
federal remedial education programs in Indianapolis public schools. Her
next career move was to join the Lily Endowment as a program officer.
She returned to Corydon in 1978 to take care of her mother and has since
worked as vice president for the Kentucky Foundation on Women. She
purchased the former Corydon Colored School and has received grants to
restore it. The African–American landmark now serves as a meeting
place for community cultural events.
Fauntleroy, Mary Emily ( - )
Civic leader, preservationist – New Harmony. Restored the old
Fauntleroy Home and other New Harmony sites.
Hendrickson, Sue (1949- ) Fossil hunter and explorer –
Munster. In 1990, Hendrickson found the Tyrannosaurus rex fossil
known as "Sue". Sue is the most complete skeleton of a T. rex
found to date. It was auctioned off to the Chicago Field Museum for 8
million dollars, and is displayed there to this day. (Source: Enchant
ed Learning.com)
O'Bannon, Judy ( - )
Promoter of arts, first lady – Corydon, Indianapolis. Judy is the
first lady of Indiana during Governor O'Bannon's administration. She is
recognized as a major supporter of arts throughout the state. At age 22
Judy became the first woman to enroll in the Louisville Presbyterian
Seminary's Bachelor of Divinity program. She was a Rockefeller scholar.
Newly married to Frank O'Bannon, Judy commuted to the seminary from her
home in Corydon. Unfortunately, Judy received hate mail saying that
women should not speak in church. She did youth work in small churches.
Judy now chairs the Indiana 2016 Task Force; leads the O'Bannon Book
Buddy program; served as honorary co-chair of Habitat for Humanity's
25th Anniversary; led a volunteer group to South Africa in 2001 to work
with citizens; works on Indiana Main Street because of her interest in
historic preservation; and has frequent public speaking engagements.
Owen, Jane Baffler ( - )
Preservationist – New Harmony. Jane was the influence behind the
restoration of New Harmony. She married Kenneth Owen, who had lived in
New Harmony and was a geologist. While living in Texas, Jane visited
Kenneth's home in New Harmony and saw that the village needed restoring.
She and her husband bought several historic New Harmony buildings and
worked with the New Harmony Commission and Lilly Endowment to restore
the area. They had the famous "roofless church" built, which was
designed by Philip Johnson. They had the motel built in 1963 and
commissioned a Jacques Lipchitz sculpture in bronze. Jane and Kenneth
brought in theologian Paul Tillich to speak at a small park named
Tillich Park. The hope was to make New Harmony a cultural center.
Riker, Dorothy ( - )
Historian, editor – Indianapolis.
Thornbrough, Emma Lou ( -1993)
Educator, scholar, author, historian – Indianapolis. Emma Lou
received her doctoral degree from the University of Michigan and was a
faculty member at Butler University. She is the author of nine books
and many articles and chapters of books. She taught courses on American
Constitutional history, African-American history, the history of the
American South, and Greek and Roman history. Emma Lou was dedicated to
civil rights and belonged to the Indianapolis NAACP and the Human
Relations Council. She also served on the editorial board of
Traces magazine upon its inception in 1980. Emma Lou received
the Martin Luther King Award from the Indianapolis Education Association
in 1966. The Indianapolis Urban League awarded her the Roy Wilkins
Award in 1991, and in 1992 she was the recipient of the Hoosier
Historian Award from the Indiana Historical Association. Emma Lou's
best-known books are The Negro in Indiana Before 1900 and
Indiana in the Civil War Era. The Thornbrough Award, named for
Emma Lou and her sister Gayle, is awarded annually for the best article
in the Indiana Magazine of History. A lecture series in their
honor was begun at Butler University in 1995 to discuss issues that were
important to the sisters.
Top
Baxter, Nancy Niblack (1942- )
Author, journalist – Culver. Nancy is the author of a historical
fiction
series for children entitled The Heartland Chronicles. In
addition to
being an author and publisher, she has been a teacher and reporter for
the
Indianapolis News. She and her husband began Guild Press in 1987.
Bland, Cora ( - )
Journalist, magazine editor – Indianapolis. Mrs. M. Cora Bland
edited a very early magazine for women entitled The Ladies' Own
Magazine. The 1871 edition announced that for $2 a subscriber could
get issues of the magazine from June 1871 through January 1873.
Carleton, Emma Nunemacher (1850-1924)
Businesswoman – New Albany. Educated in new Albany Public
Schools, Tousley's Academy, and DePauw College, Mrs. Carleton was well
known as a contributor to newspapers including the New York Times,
Chicago Record Herald, Detroit Free Press, and Indianapolis Journal.
She also wrote for the Youth's Companion and other magazines, to
which she contributed poems, feature articles, humorous sketches, and
articles on collecting antiques. She was an associate editor with
William Fortune on the Indianapolis Weekly Press, published by Mr.
Fortune in the late 1880s. Emma's father had a bookstore in New Albany
for many years, which is where she developed a knowledge of and interest
in literature, She opened her own bookstore, which she called "The
Un–Beknownst Book Shop."
Clarke, Grace Julian (1865-1938)
Journalist, suffragist – Centerville, Indianapolis. Grace served
as the president of the Indiana Federation of Women's Clubs (1909-1911)
and was known as a writer and platform speaker. She also edited Club
Notes and the Women's Page of the Indianapolis Star for eight years. She
was a member of the Peace Society.
Flanner, Janet (1892-1978)
Journalist – Indianapolis. Born to an affluent family in
Indianapolis, Janet worked as a movie critic for the Indianapolis Star.
She moved to New York and eventually to Paris to start a writing career.
Her novel The Cubical City was published in 1924. The new
magazine The New Yorker hired her to write a bi-monthly column
called "Paris Letters." Janet wrote under the name of Genet. She also
wrote a "Profile" series for The New Yorker; the profiles were
published as a book entitled An American in Paris in 1940.
Another collection of her writings won a National Book Award in 1965.
Fletcher, Bertha Brown ( - )
Journalist, publicity agent – Columbus. Bertha wrote for the
Columbus Weekly Republican, the Indianapolis Star, and the Cleveland
Press. She became a publicity agent for celebrities and was a diamond
broker. She also started the organization Women in Communication in
Indianapolis in 1929.
Foellinger, Helene (1910-1986)
Publisher, editor, civic leader – Fort Wayne. Helene grew up in
Fort Wayne and was editor of the university newspaper at the University
of Illinois. In 1936, at age 25, she became the youngest editor of a
large daily newspaper published in the U.S. Circulation went up 20%
under her leadership. She was president of the New Sentinel
Broadcasting Company and formed the Fort Wayne Newspapers, Inc., a
publishing company. In 1950 Helene began the Foellinger Foundation,
which contributed to the Botanical Conservancy, Foellinger Outdoor
Theatre, the symphony, and the art museum. She also gave generously to
Illinois and Ball State schools of journalism. She was bestowed with an
honorary Doctor of Laws at Indiana University. She was also named to
the National Newspaper Board of United Press International and was the
first woman named to the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame.
Fox, Lillian Thomas (1886-1917)
Journalist, activist – Indianapolis. Lillian was a pioneer in
journalism in Indianapolis. She first wrote for the Freeman, a
nationally prominent "black" newspaper, and became the first African-
American correspondent for the Indianapolis News. Lillian was a noted
national speaker on African-American women's rights. She formed the
Indianapolis Women's Empowerment Club. Although she wrote a column for
Black Hoosiers for 14 years, she was never given a byline stating that
she was the writer.
Harper, Ida Husted (1851-1931)
Journalist, author, suffragist – Fairfield, Muncie, Terre Haute.
After attending Indiana University for one year, Ida became principal of
Peru High School at age 18. She married Dr. Thomas Harper and moved to
Terre Haute. She wrote a column called "A Woman's Opinion" for the
local paper for 12 years. Ida was secretary of the state Women's
Suffrage Society. She was divorced in 1890. Ida then became editor of
the Terre Haute Daily News. She joined the editorial staff of the
Indianapolis News. After a move to New York, she edited a women's
column for the New York Sunday Sun. She also edited the women's pages
of Harper's Bazaar from 1909-1913. Ida also wrote portions of Susan B.
Anthony's biography.
Israelov, Rhoda Kreinen (1940- )
Businesswoman – Indianapolis. First woman in Indiana to write a
regular newspaper column on finance (Indianapolis Business Journal)
(1983); first woman vice president of E.F. Hutton in Indiana (1986);
first woman vice president of Smith Barney in Indiana.
Krout, Mary Hanna ( - )
Foreign correspondent, journalist, playwright.
Myers, Hortense ( - )
Journalist. Hortense was a veteran political writer for United Press
International. She was the first woman named "Newsman of the Year" by
the Indiana Press Club.
Oster, Maggie ( - )
Writer – New Albany. Maggie is the author of books and articles
on cooking, gardening, and Japanese gardens. She has produced more than
a dozen cookbooks and is also a photographer. Maggie's talents also
include editing and television work. She worked in public relations for
All-America Rose Selections. Titles she has written include Recipes
from an American Herb Garden (1993), The Rose Book (1994),
How to Plant and Grow Perennials (1991), and Herbal Palate
Cookbook.
Pauley, Jane
Newswoman – Indianapolis. Jane is one of America's leading
broadcast journalists. She grew up in Indianapolis and graduated in
political science at Indiana University. She worked for the Indiana
Democratic Central Committee and began her television career as a
reporter for WISH-TV in Indianapolis. She was eventually hired to be a
co-anchor of the evening news in Chicago and was the first woman to have
that position. She was hired from 250 applicants as host of the Today
Show with Tom Brokaw. Jane married Gary Trudeau, creator of the
Doonesbury comic strip. Twin sons were born to them in 1983. Jane has
interviewed many renowned people and has appeared in many magazine
articles. She was named Hoosier of the Year in 1980 by the Indiana
Society of New York. She won an Emmy award for her work with the
Dateline NBC show and received the Paul White Award from the Radio-
Television News Directors Association for her lifetime contributions to
electronic journalism.
Porter, Gene (Geneva) Stratton (1863-1924)
Author, photographer – Wabash. Born on a farm near Wabash in
Wabash County, Geneva was the 12th child of a Methodist minister. She
married Charles Porter in 1866. They lived in Geneva, Decatur, and Rome
City. She designed a home named Limberlost Cabin. Geneva loved the
natural world. Limberlost Swamp was where she began photographing
nature. Her photos were accepted by leading nature magazines. She was
a staff member of Recreation magazine, and her first successful novel
was Song of the Cardinal. Geneva wrote fiction and non-fiction.
Most of her books were based upon her personal experiences. Another
title, Freckles, was published in 1904 and sold 1.5 million
copies in the U.S. and Great Britain. Other books included At the
Foot of the Rainbow (1909), Girl of the Limberlost (1909),
Birds of the Bible (1909), Harvester (1911), and
Laddie (1913). She published a novel each year on her birthday.
When development began in the Limberlost region, she bought 150 acres on
the edge of Sylvan Lake. Geneva had a garden with 3,000 types of
plants. She also wrote editorials for McCall's magazine. She
moved to California for her health in 1920 and organized a corporation
to make films of her novels. Eight novels were eventually made into
films. She died in a traffic accident in 1924. The homes in Rome City
and Geneva are both now state historic sites. Her daughter wrote a
biography of her called Lady of the Limberlost. Her remains were
brought from California and reburied near Sylvan Lake at Rome City.
Post, Margaret Moore (1900- )
Margaret wrote for the Plainfield High School newspaper. She studied
journalism at Louisiana State and interviews Governor Huey Long. She
returned to Indiana and became city editor for the Logansport Press.
Margaret gained national attention when reporting on criminal John
Dillinger when she was editor of the Mooresville Times. From 1932 to
1983 she was on the staff of the Indianapolis Star/News. She served on
the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Crime Control Panel. Margaret was
concerned with social reform and served on a variety of commissions and
boards related to crime. She headed the journalism department at
Franklin College and was a faculty member at the University of
Louisville School of Police Administration. Margaret received awards
from the Women's Press Club of Indiana. She authored several books,
including First Ladies of Indiana and the Governors (1984).
Pulliam, Nina Mason (1907-1997)
Publisher, philanthropist – Martinsville (Monroe County). Nina
was born one of five girls to a literary family. She is the sister of
noted author Rachel Peden. After studying journalism at Franklin
College, she wrote for Farm Life magazine. She was publisher of Lebanon
Reporter newspaper. Nina was the first woman admitted to the Society of
Professional Journalists, and she served as president of the Central
Newspapers, which include the Indianapolis Star/News and Arizona
Republic, among others. Nina was the wife of Eugene Pulliam. She was a
licensed pilot and traveled widely, covering world news to almost 100
different countries. She is recognized nationally for her work with the
blind. She received an honorary degree from the University of Arizona
in 1963.
Rabb, Kate Milner (1866-1937)
Journalist – Rockport, Indianapolis.
Ream, Laura ( - )
Journalist – Indianapolis. Laura wrote columns for Cincinnati
papers while enrolled in Nazareth College in Kentucky. She was known as
a great correspondent during the Civil War. She gave forceful opinions
on political issues and served on the State Board of the Women's
Reformatory and as a delegate to a Congressional Convention.
Strauss, Juliet V. Humphries (1863-1918)
Environmentalist, Journalist – Rockville. Juliet was influential
in establishing Turkey Run as Indiana's first state park. She wrote
columns about homemaking for a local paper and the Indianapolis News
Journal. Juliet published a popular book of essays entitled The
Ideas of a Plain Country Woman.
Taylor, Mary Lyon (1874-1956)
Photographer – Indianapolis. Mary was trained in art at home in
Wisconsin and abroad. She specialized in miniature painting and
educated herself in the art of photography. Upon her marriage to Edward
Taylor, the couple moved to Indianapolis. A family financial crisis
created the need for Mary to draw an income. As Mary's artwork became
more skilled, she was asked to do photographic portraits of famous
Hoosiers, including the Lilly family. She was also an accomplished poet
and needlepoint artist and published 20 pieces of sheet music. Mary had
photography exhibitions at art museums in Indianapolis and Richmond.
She won first prize in a Kodak competition in 1911. When her old home
was being restored in the 1980s, 400 of her glass plate negatives were
found and acquired by the Indiana Historical Society. A book about her
life and work has been published.
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Barteau, Betty ( - )
Lawyer, judge – Indianapolis. After having begun private practice
in
Marion County, Betty was appointed to the Court of Appeals of Indiana in
1991
(from The Court of Appeals of Indiana - brochure).
Barthold, Betty "Tiny" ( - )
Lawyer, judge – Jeffersonville. Worked with juveniles.
Bayh, Susan Brashears ( - )
Lawyer.
Chezem, Linda L. ( - )
Lawyer, judge – Lawrence County, Bedford, Indianapolis. Following
service as a judge in Lawrence County courts, Linda was appointed to the
bench of the Court of Appeals of Indiana in 1988 (from "The Court of
Appeals of Indiana" – brochure).
Gougar, Helen Jackson (1843-1907)
Temperance leader, suffragette, lawyer – Lafayette. Helen became
a teacher in Lafayette at age 16. She married a lawyer who taught her
much about the law. Helen gave speeches all over the country on
temperance and women's rights. She edited her own newspaper, Our
Herald, from 1881-1885 and wrote articles and editorials on many issues.
She was considered very outspoken for a woman of her day. She defended
herself in a lawsuit and also was the first woman sworn in as a member
of the Tippecanoe County Bar. A biography of her life by Robert
Kriebel, Where the Saints Have Trod, was published in 1985.
Mansfield, Arbella Babb ( - )
Law. First woman admitted to the bar.
McCarty, Virginia Dill (1924- )
Lawyer, activist – Plainfield. President of Farm Implement
Company.
Owen, Mary Jane Robinson (1813-1871)
Women's rights advocate – New Harmony. Mary Jane was a speaker on
equality for women. Her husband was Robert Dale Owen. She heard Robert
speak in New York and told her mother that he was the homeliest man she
had ever seen and that she was going to marry him. They were married at
her parents' home in 1832. They stated that they were equal partners
and did not have a minister because they did not believe in ministerial
authority. They had seven children, three of whom died young. Mary
Jane was a friend of Frances Wright. When her children were grown, she
gave speeches on equality, particularly on the issue of higher wages.
The family moved to Italy when Robert was named to a diplomatic position
there. Undoubtedly Mary Jane influenced her husband in the area of
women's equality. He worked as a legislator to secure property rights
for women and got divorce laws changed to protect women from abusive
husbands.
Schideler, Shirley Williams (1930- )
Lawyer – Indianapolis. Working with the law firm Barnes &
Thornburg, Shirley became the first woman associate (1964), first woman
partner (1971), and first woman to retire from the counsel partner
position in a law firm in Indiana. She received the Distinguished
Alumni Service Award from the Indiana University School of Law in 1986
and became the first woman president of the Indiana Bar Association in
1988.
Selby, Myra C. ( - )
Lawyer – Indianapolis. Myra sat among the five justices of the
Indiana Supreme Court as the first African-American and female to occupy
the bench of the state chamber. She was originally from Michigan and
later practiced labor and employment law in Washington, D.C. Myra also
served as Director of Health Care Policy under Governor Evan Bayh.
Shields, V. Sue ( - )
Lawyer, judge – Indianapolis. Sue was the first woman appointed
to the bench of the Court of Appeals of Indiana where she served from
1978 to 1994. She was Indiana's first woman state court judge.
Skinner, Claire ( - )
Businesswoman, lawyer – Middlebury. Claire is the CEO of Coachman
Industries, which makes recreational vehicles. This family-owned
company employs several thousand people around the U.S. and is one of
the largest corporations in the country headed by a woman. Claire
attended college in Texas and became a management trainer at her
family's travel trailer manufacturing plant in Texas, working in all
aspects of the business. She graduated from Notre Dame law school and
became a trial lawyer in Chicago. She joined the family business as
president of the advertising division in 1987.
Thornbrough, Gayle (1914-1999)
Editor, librarian, administrator – Indianapolis. Gayle was
educated at Butler University and the University of Michigan. She
served in the positions of editor, director of publications, librarian,
and executive secretary of the Indiana Historical Society for during the
47 years she was associated with the Society. She also was editor for
the Indiana Historical Bureau from 1947-1966 and was copy editor for
numerous books. Gayle was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by
Indiana University in 1983.
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Clarke, Grace Julian (1865-1938)
Journalist, suffragist – Centerville, Indianapolis. Grace served
as the president of the Indiana Federation of Women's Clubs (1909-1911)
and was known as a writer and platform speaker. She also edited Club
Notes and the Women's Page of the Indianapolis Star for eight years. She
was a member of the Peace Society.
Felts, Mary (Colonel) ( - )
Military commander. Colonel Mary Felts was the first female military
base commander of the 71st Air Base Group at Vance Air Force Base. Mary
grew up on a farm in Indiana. She wanted to join the Air Force to
receive the same pay as men, which was not the case in jobs outside the
military, and to serve as an example to young women.
George, Eliza (1808-1865)
Nurse – Fort Wayne. Eliza was a volunteer Civil War nurse to
Indiana soldiers. She cooked and cared for thousands of wounded
soldiers. Eliza died of typhoid fever and was the first woman in Fort
Wayne to be buried with full military honors.
Harvey, Verona (1915- )
Air pilot, trainer – Peru, Kokomo. Verona took her first flight
and earned her pilot's license in Kansas in 1931. She moved to Peru,
where she earned her trainer's license in 1935. She then trained over
400 pilots during World War II. She flew planes from manufacturing
sites to military bases. Verona is listed in the CXS Aviation Pioneers
Hall of Fame. She was still piloting planes at age 81.
Morrison, Sarah Parke (1834-1919)
Educator – Salem, Bloomington. Sarah was the first female student
to enroll at and graduate from Indiana University. She began taking
classes at IU in 1867 and graduated in 1869. She was among the first
women to attend any state university. In 1873 she became the first
female faculty member at Indiana University. She fought for equal
status for women. Her Quaker grandparents came to Indiana in 1814
because of the slave system in North Carolina; they settled in Salem
(Washington County). Before being admitted to IU, Sarah graduated from
Mt. Holyoke and attended Vassar. Sarah's father, state treasurer and on
the IU Board of Trustees, thought it was time they admitted women. He
gave Sarah a $5 inducement to enroll. At age 34 she went back to
school, as a freshman, to serve as a role model for other young women.
The next year, 13 females enrolled. Sarah gave the commencement oration
entitled "From War, Peace." After graduation, she was appointed tutor
and then adjunct professor of English literature at IU. She also was
"Advisor to Women." Later Sarah was principal of Glendale College in
Ohio and teacher at Western Seminary in Oxford, Ohio. She worked for
temperance. She also urged IU to appoint a woman to the Board of
Trustees.
Owen, Rosamond Dale (1846-1937)
Suffragist, writer – New Harmony. Rosamond was the youngest
daughter of Robert and Mary Jane Owen. She lived in Europe when her
father was a diplomat there. Rosamond learned music, several languages,
and to write well. She returned to New Harmony and joined the Minerva
Society to study issues that affected women. She worked for reform in
women's restrictive clothing. Rosamond became acquainted with many
leaders of the suffrage movement while at a spa in New York. She wrote
fiction and was published in the Atlantic Monthly. She also wrote an
article on her parents for The History of Women's Suffrage.
Rosamond was involved in the peace movement and set up a utopian colony
in Palestine.
Perry, Cynthia (1928- )
Educator, diplomat – Terre Haute. Born and educated in Terre
Haute, Cynthia received an Ed. D. from the University of Massachusetts.
She became a university professor and dean of student affairs. From
1974 through 1976 she was a member of the Peace Corps in Kenya. She was
the U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone and Burundi in the 1980s. Cynthia
also worked for the Agency for International Development on African
educational and training programs. She has received the distinguished
alumnus award from both the University of Massachusetts and Indiana
State University.
Sewell, May Wright (1844-1920)
Educator, peace advocate – Indianapolis. She was born and
educated in Wisconsin, taught school to earn money to attend
Northwestern University, and became a teacher in several states upon her
graduation. She married Theodore Sewall and moved to Indianapolis,
where Theodore had established a classical school for boys. Together
they established a classical school for girls. It is said that May
organized 50 clubs of various types. She was an early advocate of equal
right for women's education. May founded the International Council of
Women and served two terms as president. She also served as an officer
in the Indiana Suffrage Association; U.S. delegate to the Universal
Congress of Women in Paris in 1889; and formed a group which was a
forerunner of the American Association of University Women. May
traveled widely, lecturing on world peace. She was one of the founders
of the Indianapolis Herron Art Institute. She was the author of the
book Women, World War, and Permanent Peace in 1915. She also
wrote Higher Education of Women in the Western States of the U.S.
and History of the Women's Suffrage Movement in Indiana.
Stratton, Dorothy, Dr. (1899- )
Educator, military officer – Purdue. Dorothy was the first full-
time Dean at Purdue University after arriving there in 1933. In 1942
she became the first director of SPARs, the Women's Reserve of the U.S.
Coast Guard Reserves. In SPARs, 11,000 women were under her direction.
Dorothy was also the first director of personnel for the International
Monetary Fund, examining installations in many countries and was the
Executive Director of the Girl Scouts. Her formal education includes an
M.A. from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. from Columbia
University.
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Arbuckle, Dorothy Fry (1910- )
Novelist, reporter, musician, business executive. – Lake Village.
Wrote
Andy's Dan'l Boone Rifle, a tale of friendly Indians and
pioneers in
Northwest Indiana in the 1800s. Dorothy also managed a fuel oil
business,
composed over 200 musical works, and wrote children's novels.
Auferheide, Mary Frances (1888-1972)
Musician, ragtime composer – Richmond, Indianapolis. Compositions
include "Richmond Rag" (1909) and "Blue Ribbon Rag" (1910).
Baxter, Anne (1923-1985)
Actress – Michigan City. Anne Baxter began acting when she was 11
years old. Born in Michigan City, she was the granddaughter of the
world-
famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Anne's family moved to New York,
and in
1936 at the age of 13, Anne debuted on Broadway, playing the part of a
teenager in a musical. In 1942 she appeared in the movie "The
Magnificent
Ambersons," a film based on the novel by Booth Tarkenton and produced by
Orson Wells. During the 1940s and 1950s Anne made many successful
movies. She won a best supporting actress Academy Award for "The
Razor's
Edge" in 1946. Another of her best roles was in "All About Eve" in
1950. She
also had roles on television and narrated a TV documentary about the
life of her
grandfather.
Bennett, Constance ( - )
Silent screen actress – Logansport. Played ghost of the "Topper"
series.
Bennett, Joan ( - )
Stage, screen, and TV actress – Logansport. Played on the TV
series
"Too Young to Go Steady."
Bergen, Polly ( - )
Actress and singer – Richmond, Ft. Wayne. Born in Fort Wayne.
Starred
in such films as "War and Remembrance," "While You Were Sleeping," "The
Winds of War," and "Wuthering Heights." Played in "Faster, Faster."
Burchenal, Elizabeth (1876-1959)
Folk dance educator.
Cahier, Sarah Layton Walker (1870-1951)
Musician – Nashville, Indianapolis. Sarah showed musical talent
by age three, composing and singing music. She studied voice in
Indianapolis, Paris, and Berlin. She had a successful opera career in
Europe. In 1912 she presented a concert in Indianapolis. She also
taught in music schools in the U.S. and Europe. Marian Anderson was one
of her students who became famous.
Cattel, Marie Viol ( - )
Musician – Lafayette. Studied in Germany at the Royal
Conservatory of Music. In 1917 she returned to the U.S., studied in
Chicago, and gave concerts all over the U.S. She directed the Mozart
Ladies Quartet.
Cryer, Gretchen Keger ( - )
Playwright, lyricist, recording artist.
Dethridge, Mary Luvena Wallace (1894-1988)
Vocalist – Richmond. Raised by her grandparents (both famous
slaves) after her mother died, Mary's grandfather taught her to sing
spirituals when she was a young child. She studied voice in Richmond
and later studied for two years in Italy. During her career she gave
concerts in 40 U.S. states and in Canada. She was also a soloist at the
World's Fair and at the White House.
Dresser, Louise ( - )
Actress – Evansville. Successful actress on stage and in silent
movies. Among her performances was "State Fair" with Will Rogers.
Dunne, Irene (1898-1990)
Musician, actress, philanthropist – Madison. After winning a
voice contest in Chicago, Irene won a scholarship to study music. She
went to New York to audition and was given a part in "Irene" although
she had no acting or dancing experience. Irene went on to become a
popular actress in the 1930s and 1940s. She was nominated five times
for Academy Awards. In the 1950s and 1960s she was an alternate
delegate to the United Nations. Some of the movies in which she starred
included "My Favorite Wife" with Cary Grant, "I Remember Mama," and
"Cimarron." She married Dr. Francis Griffin and supported many national
philanthropic organizations including the American Heart Association and
the American Red Cross.
Farmer, Frances (1913-1970)
Actress, TV personality – Indianapolis. Frances was a successful
Hollywood and New York actress in the 1930s. "Come and Get It" was one
of her most popular movies. Her career was interrupted due to
hospitalization for mental illness. Her career resumed in Indianapolis
in the 1950s when she was asked to be the hostess for the afternoon
movie show "Frances Farmer Presents." Her autobiography, published
after her death, is entitled Will There Really Be a Morning?
Fricke, Janie ( - )
Country music vocalist of the year in 1984.
Gaither, Gloria Seckal (1942- )
Gospel music performer and lyricist – Alexandria. Gloria
graduated from Anderson College planning to be a missionary in Africa.
After marrying Bill Gaither she became a performer in the Bill Gaither
Trio. She also was a partner in the family music business, an author,
and the mother of three children. Gloria won two Grammy Awards and ten
Dove awards. The trio has performed all across the U.S., produced 20
gospel albums, written hundreds of songs, and published a hymnbook and
various songbooks for choirs.
Gayle, Crystal (1951 - )
Singer – Wabash. Born in Kentucky with the name of Brenda Gail
Webb, Crystal tagged along with older sister Loretta Lynn on Loretta's
tours when Crystal was only 16. Crystal graduated from high school at
Wabash High, where she was voted Most Likely to Succeed. Crystal signed
a contract with Decca Records before she had graduated from high school.
Her 1978 album reached the platinum level. She currently lives in
Nashville.
Golden, Bella (1842-1919)
Actress – New Harmony, Newcastle. Bella traveled to give plays in
13 states during the 1870s and 1880s. Her husband Martin and their
children preformed in a touring theatrical company called "The Golden
Troupe." The family traveled over 5,000 miles in a typical touring
season. One daughter, Grace Isabella, went on to sing with the
Metropolitan Opera and several other opera companies. Grace's career
ended early when she died of tuberculosis at age 36.
Harper, Ann Wagner ( - )
Disk jockey – Vincennes. First female disk jockey in Indiana.
Henderson, Florence (1934- )
Actress – Dale. Born to tobacco sharecroppers during the
Depression, Florence became inspired to sing by hearing monks singing
Gregorian Chants at St. Meinrad Monestary. She showed singing talent at
an early age; friends financed her move to New York to study. Her
Broadway debut was in 1952. She starred in Oklahoma! and South Pacific.
Her first film was the Song of Norway. She starred in the Brady Bunch
TV show from1969-1974.
Hillis, Margaret ( - )
Musician, conductor. Grammy Award winner.
Jackson, Janet (1966- )
Singer and entertainer – Gary. Janet is the youngest of the nine
famous Jackson children. She began performing at age 7. Her family
lived in Gary until they moved to California to seek more opportunities
in show business. Janet is the winner of 8 honors from the Billboard
Music Awards, including top R & B artist. She is popular on the concert
circuit. Janet has also acted in several TV shows and movies. Her
album Rhythm Nation sold 7 million copies.
Jackson, LaToya (1967- )
Performer – Gary. One of the Jackson family members.
Jordan, Susan Abigail (1871-1963)
Musician, conductor – Fort Wayne. Susan started an African-
American orchestra in Fort Wayne in the 1920s and was its conductor.
The orchestra played classical music at African-American churches.
Susan had studied music at Oberlin College before moving to Fort Wayne
in 1914.
Main, Marjorie (1890-1975)
Actress – Elkhart. Marjorie was most famous for her comedic role
as Ma Kettle. Her birth name was Marybell Tomkinson. Marjorie attended
Franklin College. Her father was a minister who did not really approve
of her acting career but allowed her to join a traveling Shakespeare
company. She traveled around the U.S. in vaudeville and stock
companies. She appeared in 80 films and was nominated for an Academy
Award in 1947 for "The Egg and I." Her other movies included "Meet Me
in St. Louis," "The Harvey Girls," "Rose Marie," and "Heaven Can Wait."
She appeared in films with the likes of W.C. Fields, John Barrymore,
Humphrey Bogart, and Wallace Beery.
Maxwell, Marilyn ( - )
Actress – Fort Wayne.
McArthur, Ruth ( - )
Musician – Indianapolis. Ruth's father was an African-American
physician from Tennessee who moved his family to Indianapolis in 1924.
He encouraged Ruth in her musical career. Ruth graduated from Tuskegee
Institute in Alabama, majoring in band-orchestra music. She went to
Fisk University for graduate work in music and served as music
supervisor in segregated schools in Indianapolis. Ruth opened the
McArthur Conservatory of Music on Indiana Avenue in 1946 when she was 30
years old. She offered music education in classical, jazz, and dance.
Ruth's students performed in parades, recitals, dances, conventions,
church ceremonies, and jazz clubs. She made music lessons available not
just to young people but to working adults who had always wanted to
study music, including returning G.I.s. In the college division,
students could earn a bachelor of music degree. The school closed in
1963.
Mendelson, Rose Marilyn Peterson (1924- )
Musician, educator – New Albany. Rose earned her music degrees
from Indiana University and Michigan State, studying with prominent
pianists. From 1962-74 she was on the administrative staff of the New
York Philharmonic Orchestra. She also worked as a grant supervisor for
PBS television in New York.
Miller, Marilyn (1898-1936)
Actress – Evansville. Marilyn joined the family traveling
vaudeville act at age four. They traveled in the U.S. and abroad.
Marilyn's dancing attracted attention in London and she appeared in
revues there. In 1918 she appeared in musicals such as Sunny, Rosalie,
and Smiles. Marilyn went to Hollywood in 1930. One of her most famous
songs is "Look for the Silver Lining," the same title as a film
biography of her.
Overbeck Sisters: Margaret (1863-1911), Hannah (1870-
1931), Elizabeth (1875-1936), and Mary Frances (1878-1955)
Potters, musicians – Cambridge City. The Overbeck sisters lived
together in their family home, established an internationally known
pottery and, in doing so, brought much fame to Cambridge City. The
family lived in town, and all six children went to local schools.
Another sister, Ida, was the only one to marry. The in-home studio was
established in 1911. Margaret, who conceived the idea of a pottery
studio, studied at Cincinnati Art Academy and was an art teacher in
schools in Kentucky and Mississippi; she also taught at DePauw
University. Elizabeth studied at the College of Clayworking and
Ceramics. Margaret was an expert in glazes and was named a Fellow of
the American Ceramic Society in 1936. Mary Frances studied at Columbia
University. Hannah attended Indiana State. The family depended on
pottery as their means of making a living. The sisters made one-of-a-
kind pieces. Some of their pottery is displayed in a permanent exhibit
in the Cambridge City Public Library. Awards for their pottery have
been won in Paris, Chicago, New York, Detroit, and St. Louis. The
Overbeck house has been restored and is a private residence.
Oyer, Mary K., Dr. (1923- )
Musician, educator – Goshen. Mary is an internationally known
musicologist and hymnologist and was a distinguished professor of Fine
Arts at Goshen College. Three generations have learned to sing, play,
and appreciate music from Mary. Her former students often cite her as
their most influential teacher. She was the first string player to earn
a doctor of musical arts performance degree at the University of
Michigan, earning the degree during summer school while teaching the
fine arts courses and directing and touring with the Motet Singers at
Goshen College. Mary has directed numerous workshops on church music.
She has been a professor of church music at the Associated Mennonite
Biblical Seminary in Elkhart. She is active in the Hymn Society of
America and was the first woman to serve on groups to establish two new
Mennonite Hymnals. Mary had a Fulbright Fellowship to Africa in 1969.
A Lilly Foundation grant allowed her to spend two years researching
African music in the Kenya National Archive. In 1999 she taught church
music at the Presbyterian Theological College and Seminary in Taiwan.
At age 80 she led a tour group to Africa focusing on African art, music,
culture, and history. Mary was also chosen as one of 20 most
influential Mennonites of the 20th century. She still lives in the
house in which she grew up, next to Goshen College.
Pali, Tatiana ( - )
Ballerina – Indianapolis. Tatiana was born in Moldova, then a
part of the Soviet Union. At age ten she was accepted to study at the
Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow. She has been principal dancer with the
Indianapolis Ballet Theatre since 1992. She owned the Russian House
Restaurant in Indianapolis.
Palmer, Betsy
Actress, TV personality. Betsy acted with Henry Fonda, Jack Lemmon, and
Joan Crawford, with whom she starred in the film Queen Bee. Betsy
appeared on Broadway in the 1960s in Cactus Flower and a revival of
South Pacific. She was co-host on the Today Show in the late 1950s. In
1980 she played in the horror film Friday the 13th.
Patty, Sandi ( - )
Singer – Anderson. Sandi lived most of her early life in Anderson
and attended college there. She is best known for her gospel and
patriotic music. Sandi has appeared on the cover of many magazines and
has won 33 Dove Awards for outstanding achievement in gospel music. She
is also the winner of five Grammy Awards. Her parents were musicians,
and she traveled with her family as they gave concerts at churches.
Bill and Gloria Gaither gave Sandi her start. She became part of the
Bill Gaither Trio. The Gaithers' studio in nearby Alexandria recorded
many of her songs. Her concerts have sold out in large music halls such
as Radio City and the Sun Dome in Tampa. Sandi has sung at the Miss
America Pageant, presidential inaugurations, and the Indianapolis 500.
Stoner, Winifred
Whiz Kid – Evansville.
Sweeney, Elsie Irwin (1888-1972)
Musician, philanthropist – Columbus. Elsie attended Butler
University, graduated from Smith College, and studied piano in Berlin
and New York. She was heir to the fortune of her grandfather, Joseph
Irwin, a banker and builder. Elsie founded the American Friends of
Bayreuth to promote Wagner festivals in Germany, and for this she was
awarded the Order of Merit by the German government. Elsie was the
author of many articles for The Opera News. She served on the National
Committee of the Metropolitan Opera in New York and on the Board of the
Indiana State Symphony Society. Elsie build a mansion named Castiglia.
She received the King's Medal for Service from England for her work with
"Bundles for Britain" during World War II. She received an honorary
doctorate from Indiana University. The governor proclaimed April 11,
1970, as Elsie Sweeny Day. Recipients of her large philanthropic
contributions include the Indiana Historical Society, the Indianapolis
Museum of Art, the Indianapolis Symphony, the Indiana University School
of Music, and the Cleeves Hall of Butler University.
Talbot, Ona ( -1924)
Music promoter – Indianapolis. Ona was determined to develop
Indianapolis into a music center. She founded the Ona B. Talbot Fine
Arts Association and began bringing well-known musicians to the city.
She was the first to use the State Fair Coliseum as a concert hall. In
1918 Ona was named director of the Shubert Fine Arts Enterprise, which
booked musicians into theatres around the nation. At her home on
Alabama Avenue, she entertained many artists. Her famous sculptor
daughter, Myra Reynolds Richards, had her studio on the third floor of
their home.
Tharp, Twyla (1941- )
Dancer, choreographer – Portland. Born in Indiana and raised in
California, Twyla began taking piano lessons at the age of two. At the
age of eight, Twyla began dance lessons. Twyla and her mother moved to
California when Twyla was eight, and there her mother opened a drive-in
theatre. She majored in art history at Barnard College in New York
City, studied dance under Martha Graham, and spent one year with the
Paul Taylor Dance Company. She left the Paul Taylor company to begin
her own dance company. Twyla's early works used no music because she
wanted the dance to communicate by itself. Her first work, Tank Dive,
was presented in 1965. Early on, she presented her dance pieces in
parks and art galleries. Twyla was commissioned to choreograph works
for the Joffrey Ballet, New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, and
Boston Ballet. Her accomplishments in these areas led to opportunities
such as choreographing dance scenes for the movies Hair (1979), Amadeus
(1984), and White Nights (1985). She directed and choreographed the
Broadway musical Singin' in the Rain. Twyla has worked and toured with
Mikhail Baryshnikov. She is known as an electrifying, avant garde
performer who blends ballet, classical, and pop dance. Her present
troupe is Twyla Tharp Dance, which has its headquarters in Brooklyn.
Twyla recently directed and choreographed Movin' Out, a hit dance
musical featuring songs by Billy Joel. She was named a living legend in
2003 by the Indiana Historical Society for making a contribution to
Indiana through her career. Her autobiography is entitled Push Comes
to Shove (1992).
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Ball, Bertha ( - )
Philanthropist, civil worker – Muncie. Bertha Ball, an 1898
graduate of
Vassar College, is noted for her active work in preserving Indiana's
history.
She has been active in the Federation of Women Club, the DAR, the Ball
Bros.
Foundation, and many other civic groups. She has been Chair of the Old
Fauntleroy Home at New Harmony and a leader in preserving this piece of
Indiana history. She was also appointed by the governor to be a member
of the
New Harmony Memorial Commission.
Bradley, Lydia Moss (1816-1908)
Educated in a small log schoolhouse in Vevay, Lydia went on to found a
university in Peoria, Illinois, which bears her name. Her husband
Tobias was from Kentucky. They did not want to live in a state that had
slaves, so they moved to Peoria in 1847. Lydia's father had given her
100 acres of Indiana land. She had shown great business skills and had
made money by clearing the timber. They had money to invest when they
moved to Illinois and were able to become wealthy. They built a lovely
home on Moss Avenue. They were philanthropists, helping to raise funds
for the Peoria Public Library and the Universalist Church. Much sadness
came into their lives – all six of their children died. Tobias
died in a horse and carriage accident. Lydia bought farms, raised
goats, sold real estate, gave property to form a hospital, funded and
planned a park in honor of her daughter, Laura, and started an institute
for the education of young people in 1897 when she was 81 – a
living memorial to Tobias and her children.
Brashear, Diane Blake, Ph.D. (1933- )
Philanthropist. Co-founder and first president of the board of
directors for Big Sister of Central Indiana (1974). Co-founder and
first chair of the Women's Fund of Central Indiana.
Clowes, Edith Whitehill (1885-1967)
Philanthropist, civic leader, patron of music – Indianapolis.
Dunne, Irene (1898-1990)
Musician, actress, philanthropist – Madison. After winning a
voice contest in Chicago, Irene won a scholarship to study music. She
went to New York to audition and was given a part in "Irene" although
she had no acting or dancing experience. Irene went on to become a
popular actress in the 1930s and 1940s. She was nominated five times
for Academy Awards. In the 1950s and 1960s she was an alternate
delegate to the United Nations. Some of the movies in which she starred
included "My Favorite Wife" with Cary Grant, "I Remember Mama," and
"Cimarron." She married Dr. Francis Griffin and supported many national
philanthropic organizations including the American Heart Association and
the American Red Cross.
Garman, Phyllis ( - )
Business executive, philanthropist – New Albany. CEO of Key
Communications Service of New Albany.
Hulman, Mary (1905-1998)
Philanthropist – Evansville, Terre Haute, Indianapolis. Mary was
born in Evansville. She graduated from St. Mary of the Woods Academy in
1923. She married Anton "Tony" Hulman, a Terre Haute businessman, who
was later the owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. She became a
trustee of the Indianapolis Museum of Art; an addition of the museum is
named for her. She was on the board of trustees for St. Mary's College;
chairman of the family business Hulman and Company; chairman of the
board of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; the first woman elected to the
board of directors of Terre haute First national Bank; and the first
woman elected to the Board of Managers of Rose-Hulman Institute of
Technology. Mary was the voice of the Indianapolis 500 after her
husband's death. She was the first to announce "Lady and Gentlemen"
with the start of Janet Guthrie's race in 1977.
Pulliam, Nina Mason (1907-1997)
Publisher, philanthropist – Martinsville (Monroe County). Nina
was born one of five girls to a literary family. She is the sister of
noted author Rachel Peden. After studying journalism at Franklin
College, she wrote for Farm Life magazine. She was publisher of Lebanon
Reporter newspaper. Nina was the first woman admitted to the Society of
Professional Journalists, and she served as president of the Central
Newspapers, which include the Indianapolis Star/News and Arizona
Republic, among others. Nina was the wife of Eugene Pulliam. She was a
licensed pilot and traveled widely, covering world news to almost 100
different countries. She is recognized nationally for her work with the
blind. She received an honorary degree from the University of Arizona
in 1963.
Sweeney, Elsie Irwin (1888-1972)
Musician, philanthropist – Columbus. Elsie attended Butler
University, graduated from Smith College, and studied piano in Berlin
and New York. She was heir to the fortune of her grandfather, Joseph
Irwin, a banker and builder. Elsie founded the American Friends of
Bayreuth to promote Wagner festivals in Germany, and for this she was
awarded the Order of Merit by the German government. Elsie was the
author of many articles for The Opera News. She served on the National
Committee of the Metropolitan Opera in New York and on the Board of the
Indiana State Symphony Society. Elsie build a mansion named Castiglia.
She received the King's Medal for Service from England for her work with
"Bundles for Britain" during World War II. She received an honorary
doctorate from Indiana University. The governor proclaimed April 11,
1970, as Elsie Sweeny Day. Recipients of her large philanActivism and Social Issues
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