Winning Their Place
Arizona Women in Politics, 1883-1950
The University of Arizona Press
In January 1999, five women were elected to the highest offices in Arizona, including governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, and superintendent of public instruction. The “Fab Five,” as they were dubbed by the media, were sworn in by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, herself a former member of the Arizona legislature. Some observers assumed that the success of women in Arizona politics was a result of the modern women’s movement, but Winning Their Place convincingly demonstrates that these recent political victories have a long and fascinating history.
This landmark book chronicles for the first time the participation of Arizona women in the state’s early politics. Incorporating impressive original research, Winning Their Place traces the roots of the political participation of women from the territorial period to after World War II. Although women in Arizona first entered politics for traditional reasons—to reform society and protect women and children—they quickly realized that male politicians were uninterested in their demands. Most suffrage activists were working professional women, who understood that the work place discriminated against them. In Arizona they won the vote because they demanded rights as working women and aligned with labor unions and third parties that sympathized with their cause. After winning the vote, the victorious suffragists ran for office because they believed men could not and would not represent their interests.
Through this process, these Arizona women became excellent politicians. Unlike women in many other states, women in Arizona quickly carved out a place for themselves in local and state politics, even without the support of the reigning Democratic Party, and challenged men for county office, the state legislature, state office, Congress, and even for governor. This fascinating book reveals how they shattered traditional notions about “a woman’s place” and paved the way for future female politicians, including the “Fab Five” and countless others who have changed the course of Arizona history.
This landmark book chronicles for the first time the participation of Arizona women in the state’s early politics. Incorporating impressive original research, Winning Their Place traces the roots of the political participation of women from the territorial period to after World War II. Although women in Arizona first entered politics for traditional reasons—to reform society and protect women and children—they quickly realized that male politicians were uninterested in their demands. Most suffrage activists were working professional women, who understood that the work place discriminated against them. In Arizona they won the vote because they demanded rights as working women and aligned with labor unions and third parties that sympathized with their cause. After winning the vote, the victorious suffragists ran for office because they believed men could not and would not represent their interests.
Through this process, these Arizona women became excellent politicians. Unlike women in many other states, women in Arizona quickly carved out a place for themselves in local and state politics, even without the support of the reigning Democratic Party, and challenged men for county office, the state legislature, state office, Congress, and even for governor. This fascinating book reveals how they shattered traditional notions about “a woman’s place” and paved the way for future female politicians, including the “Fab Five” and countless others who have changed the course of Arizona history.
Heidi J. Osselaer’s engaging study of Arizona women in politics is a welcome contribution to the growing body of scholarship on American women’s electoral and partisan activism. It is an astutely detailed and well-reasoned analysis of the personal and structural factors that brought women into politics.’—Journal of American History
‘This well-researched and well-written book covers the early battles for women’s suffrage in the region as women drew on a coalition of labor activists, socialists, and Mormons.’—New Mexico Historical Review
‘Winning Their Place is an excellent book that provides valuable information about a previously unpublished area of Arizona women’s history.’—Journal of Arizona History
Heidi J. Osselaer teaches history at Arizona State University.
Foreword, by Governor Janet Napolitano
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 The Battle Begins: The Early Woman Suffrage Movement, 1883 to 1903
2 The Battle Is Won: Statehood and Suffrage, 1909 to 1912
3 The War Is Not Over: Political Parties and Women’s Clubs
4 “A Woman for a Woman’s Job”: Female Candidates, 1914 to 1927
5 “Mis”-Representatives: Expanding Representation, 1928 to 1940
6 Professional Politicians: The 1940s
Conclusion
Epilogue
Appendix: Women Elected and Appointed to the Arizona Legislature, 1914–1950
Notes
Bibliography
Illustration Credits
Index
Related Titles
Contingent Maps
Rethinking Western Women's History and the North American West
Edited by Susan E. Gray and Gayle Gullett
