Women's History Commons^™

Grace Thompson Edmister, American Association Of University Women-New Mexico

The 1976 Women in New Mexico Exhibit by the American Association of University Women - New Mexico

Grace Thompson Edmister was probably the first woman in the nation to direct a city orchestra. As organizer of the music department at the University of New Mexico and founder of the Albuquerque Symphony Orchestra, she has given many years of service to New Mexico's cultural life.

Grace came to New Mexico in 1918 on a stretcher. Doctors in Ohio had given her no hope of recovery from tuberculosis, but her "courage to get well," to use her own phrase, her desire to see her two young children grow up, and her Christian Science faith brought recovery.

She was born …

Sr Blandina Segale, American Association Of University Women-New Mexico

The 1976 Women in New Mexico Exhibit by the American Association of University Women - New Mexico

Sister Blandina Segale set a rule for herself when she came to the Southwest from Ohio in 1872: "Do whatever presents itself, and never omit anything because of hardship or repugnance." It was a simple rule, but not easy to carry out in rugged, lawless New Mexico of the late 1800's. Her letters verify that she was able to abide by it with skill, courage and compassion.

Sister Blandina took her vows in the Order of the Sisters of Charity in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1868. Four years later she was sent to Trinidad, Colorado, to teach school. The school she …

Natachee Scott Momaday, American Association Of University Women-New Mexico

The 1976 Women in New Mexico Exhibit by the American Association of University Women - New Mexico

Natachee Scott Momaday has spent her lifetime pursuing not one but three careers: education, writing and art. She has effectively combined these careers to advance the culture of the American Indian and further his acceptance of and by the Anglo world.

Natachee was born in Kentucky to a Cherokee mother and Anglo father. She began writing at an early age, publishing numerous articles, juvenile books and short stories which she also illustrated. She married Kiowa artist Al Momaday in 1933, and in 1938 journeyed to the Navaho Reservation to teach Indian children for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, remaining with …

Julia Brown Asplund, American Association Of University Women-New Mexico

The 1976 Women in New Mexico Exhibit by the American Association of University Women - New Mexico

Julia Asplund had a lively concern for all social legislation but her greatest efforts through 50 active years in New Mexico were devoted to her determined fight to bring library service to all New Mexicans.

The first trained librarian in the territory, she came to Albuquerque in 1903 to organize the Territorial University's library. In 1905 she resigned her position to marry Rupert Franz Asplund, a fellow faculty member. Their only daughter was born in 1906. In 1907 she became a member of the Albuquerque Public Library Commission but two years later the Asplunds moved to Santa Fe.

Beginning in …

Louise Coe, American Association Of University Women-New Mexico

The 1976 Women in New Mexico Exhibit by the American Association of University Women - New Mexico

Louise Coe was the first woman elected to the New Mexico State Senate, and at 28 was the youngest person at the time to hold the office. Improvement of the state's system of public education was her main concern during four consecutive terms, from 1925 to 1941.

As chairman of the Senate education committee for 10 years, she was influential in securing passage of many bills aimed at upgrading education: free textbooks, larger libraries, better qualifications for teachers, higher teacher salaries. She initiated bills which provided for a teacher retirement fund and tenure, and worked for school consolidation. She promoted …

Evelyn Fisher Frisbie, American Association Of University Women-New Mexico

The 1976 Women in New Mexico Exhibit by the American Association of University Women - New Mexico

A 1902 graduate of Illinois College of Medicine with degrees in medicine and surgery, Dr. Frisbie arrived in the Territory of New Mexico in 1908. From her parents' homestead near Wagon Mound, she set up practice -- often riding horseback to see patients in Ocate, 25 miles away. In 1911, she moved to Albuquerque, where she was the only woman among the 25 physicians then serving the town's 20,000 people.

Dr. Frisbie practiced medicine in New Mexico for 54 years -- first as a general practitioner, then as obstetrician/gynecologist. She earned the confidence of her many patients and the respect …

Laura Gilpin, American Association Of University Women-New Mexico

The 1976 Women in New Mexico Exhibit by the American Association of University Women - New Mexico

Laura Gilpin has been a professional photographer for almost 60 years. Her work is art. She has done more to record photographically the Southwest and its people than any other living person.

Born in Colorado, she developed an interest in photography as a young girl. She has been called a born observer -- one who is somehow able to see more than others see in a given view. This exceptional power of observation has served her throughout her life in her photography.

Though Laura's visual talents were a gift, her technical skill required refinement. In 1916 she entered the Clarence …

Ina Sizer Cassidy, American Association Of University Women-New Mexico

The 1976 Women in New Mexico Exhibit by the American Association of University Women - New Mexico

Ina Sizer Cassidy is best remembered in New Mexico for the "Art and Artists" monthly column she wrote for New Mexico Magazine for 29 years, from 1931 to 1960. Through this column she was able to play a major role as a promoter of the arts in this state.

Mrs. Cassidy's columns ranged in subject matter from critiques of art shows and individual artists to discussions of Indian art, particular forms of art (such as lithography), or art in New Mexico schools. This broad format made her column appealing to a wide audience. Her direct, non-technical style appealed to artist …

Concha Ortiz Y Pino De Kleven, American Association Of University Women-New Mexico

The 1976 Women in New Mexico Exhibit by the American Association of University Women - New Mexico

Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven was born in Galisteo, New Mexico, where her family had lived since the 17th century. Her grandmother was the village matriarch, and her sense of personal responsibility for care and welfare of its residents was deeply ingrained in the young girl.

Concha has shouldered that same responsibility in modern day terms -- in a lifetime of vigorous involvement as a state legislator and member of numerous boards and commissions for welfare and cultural programs for New Mexico and the nation.

Her involvement began early. As a girl, during the early 1930's, she led thousands …

Fabiola Cabeza De Baca Gilbert, American Association Of University Women-New Mexico

The 1976 Women in New Mexico Exhibit by the American Association of University Women - New Mexico

Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert, a New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service agent, was devoted to teaching residents of the state's northern rural areas skills to upgrade the quality of their daily lives. As a writer, she has documented an important part of our state's cultural heritage -- the traditions, customs and patterns of daily life of the descendants of the conquistadores.

Born in 1898 at her grandfather's hacienda near Las Vegas, New Mexico, she was reared by her grandmother, a Spanish matriarch, from whom she learned both household arts and traditions of a family and culture dating back to early …

Bertha Dutton, American Association Of University Women-New Mexico

The 1976 Women in New Mexico Exhibit by the American Association of University Women - New Mexico

Bertha Dutton is an internationally recognized scholar whose interests range from research on history of Indians of the Southwest to interpretation and preservation of their present culture and crafts. Her work as anthropologist, museum administrator, writer, and lecturer has greatly enlarged our understanding of new Mexico's Indian people.

She came to New Mexico from Nebraska in 1932 and received a B.A. in 1935 and an M.A. in 1937 from the University of New Mexico. Her Ph.D. is from Columbia University in 1952. From 1937 to 1965 she was a staff member of the Museum of New Mexico. She was responsible …

Franc Johnson Newcomb, American Association Of University Women-New Mexico

The 1976 Women in New Mexico Exhibit by the American Association of University Women - New Mexico

Franc Newcomb was born with a photographic memory and irrepressible energy, both of which enabled her to perform an invaluable service in the preservation of ancient Navaho rites and customs.

Arriving at Fort Defiance, Arizona, in 1912 to teach Navaho children for the U.S. Indian Service, she met Arthur Newcomb, a young trading post operator. They were married in 1914 and set off to live on the Navaho Reservation at the Blue Mesa Trading Post which Arthur had purchased. The post was located midway between Gallup and Shiprock, and is now known as Newcomb, New Mexico. It was in this …

Pablita Velarde, American Association Of University Women-New Mexico

The 1976 Women in New Mexico Exhibit by the American Association of University Women - New Mexico

Pablita Velarde has gained worldwide recognition as a Pueblo Indian whose paintings depict the traditions, culture and daily life of her people. These are changing rapidly as the pueblos move forward in time, uncomfortably elbowed by neighboring cultures. Pablita's combination of background, talent and intense commitment to record the old ways net her a unique place in the history of New Mexico.

She wrote and illustrated a book in 1960 called Old Father, the Story Teller. In this, she retells the legends of her pueblo, Santa Clara, as she heard them in her youth from the old men of …