Kansas recently celebrated an important milestone with the unveiling of a new mural at its Statehouse paying tribute to the women who tirelessly campaigned for voting rights prior to the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. The mural, titled 'Rebel Women,' was revealed by Governor Laura Kelly and other state officials on the anniversary of Kansas' admission as the 34th U.S. state in 1861.
The painting, which spans an entire wall on the first floor of the Statehouse, features a depiction of 13 prominent Kansas suffragists. The artwork was created by artist Phyllis Garibay-Coon, who hails from Manhattan, Kansas.
Attendees at the unveiling event, which drew a crowd of several hundred people, were treated to a special performance of the women's voting rights anthem, 'Suffrage Song,' set to the tune of 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic.' Some individuals in the audience even dressed in attire reminiscent of 19th-century suffrage campaigners.
Kansas has a rich history of progressivism when it comes to women's suffrage. The state allowed women to vote in school elections as early as 1861 and in city elections by 1887. Notably, in 1887, Susanna M. Salter made history by becoming the nation's first woman mayor after being elected in Argonia, Kansas.
Furthermore, Kansas voters took a significant step towards gender equality in 1912 when they amended the state constitution to grant women full voting rights. This move showcased Kansas' commitment to inclusivity and paved the way for greater participation of women in the democratic process.
