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The Laramie Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization supported by tax deductible contributions of donors who recognize the need to promote and preserve the concepts of equality, democracy and suffrage. These concepts are exemplified in the history of Louisa Swain and three other Wyoming women who made world history in 1870. It was in that year in Wyoming when in addition to Louisa Swain's historic vote the first woman served on a jury (Eliza Stewart), the first woman served as a bailiff (Martha Symons Boies) and the first woman served in a judicial position (Esther Hobart Morris). To memorialize the significance of these world FIRSTS, The Laramie Foundation constructed the Wyoming Women's History House. This memorial displays the history of these women with galleries for the recognition of others who have been honored for historically significant achievements. The Laramie Foundation was established in 2001 and is governed by a Board of Directors composed of members from throughout the nation. Contributions are greatly appreciated and may be sent and made payable to The Laramie Foundation, Post Office Box 1960, Laramie, Wyoming 82073. |
| The Laramie Foundation |
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| About The Foundation How To Contribute The 13 Historic Women Wyoming Women's History House The EnCana Lectures Events |
| 13 Wyoming Women helped to change the world, their nation and their state. |
| The Board of Directors |
| Hon. Barbara Cubin, Wyoming Rick Ewig, Wyoming Ray Hunkins, Wyoming Jon Johnson, Wyoming Hon. Rita Meyer, Wyoming Robert Norton, New York Sandra Rohde, Nebraska Bill Scholz, New York Emory Spiegelberg, Wyoming G.F. Williamson, Wyoming Weldon Tuck, Executive Director |
| Wyoming Honorary Committee |
| Dave Freudenthal, Governor Mike Enzi, United States Senator Barbara Cubin, United States Representative Max Maxfield, Secretary of State Rita Meyer, State Auditor Joe Meyer, State Treasurer Jim Geringer Mike Sullivan Cynthia Lummis |
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| A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR LOUISA SWAIN (Sponsored by The Laramie Foundation) |
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| On the morning of September 6, 1870 in Laramie, Wyoming, Louisa Swain became the first woman in the world to cast a ballot under laws giving women full equality with men. |
| Early in the morning on September 6, 1870 in what is today known as "historic downtown Laramie, Wyoming", Louisa Ann Gardner Swain, a seventy year old Quaker lady, became the first woman in the world to cast a ballot under laws granting women the right to vote with full civil equality with men. This law was contained in the Wyoming Suffrage Act which was passed in 1869. Born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1801, Louisa was the daughter of a sea captain who left on a voyage never to return when Louisa was but an infant. Louisa then moved with her mother to Charleston, South Carolina where she soon became an orphan upon her mother's death. Finding her relatives after reaching the age of maturity Louisa moved to Baltimore, Maryland where she met and married Stephen Swain. To their union were born three sons and a daughter. The Swains began their travels that would, eventually, bring them to Wyoming when their youngest child was but 6 weeks old. The Journal of American History quotes an eyewitness to Louisa Swain's vote as saying 'Putting on a clean apron over her house dress, she walked to the polls early in the morning, unaided, carrying a little bucket for yeast to be bought at the bakeshop on her return home". The Laramie Daily Sentinel, commenting on the historic vote, had this to say: "It is comforting to note that our first woman voter was really a lady...of the highest social standing in the community, universally beloved and respected. The scene was in the highest degree interesting and impressive. There was too much good sense in our community for any jeers or sneers to be seen on such an occasion". Several years after casting this historic ballot Louisa Swain and her husband moved back east to Lutherville, Maryland to live with their daughter. It was there that Louisa Swain died on April 25, 1880 in the 79th year of her life. She rests in a grave under a canopy of tulip poplar trees in the Friends Burying Grounds on the Old Harford Road in Baltimore, Maryland. |
| GOALS OF THE CAMPAIGN THE MONETARY GOAL OF THE CAMPAIGN IS TO RAISE $250,000 FOR THE PURPOSES OF: Achieving national recognition of Louisa Swain's historic vote through appropriate proclamations, resolutions and a concentrated public relations and media effort. Defraying the balance of the cost of the recently dedicated Wyoming Women's History House located in Laramie, Wyoming Funding educational seminars and conferences which will discuss the importance of Louisa Swain's vote to the Women's Suffrage Movement. Endowing the future of this historic project. Hosting a nationally recognized concluding event for "The National Campaign for Louisa Swain" in Laramie, Wyoming on September 6, 2008, the 138th anniversary of Louisa's historic vote. |
| The Laramie Foundation |
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