Early Womens' Groups

The early frontier town was not an ideal community for families.  Men lived in boarding houses and hotels.  Populations were unstable.  Distinctions were made between the "citizens and the transients"  The respectable citizens, active in the town's culture and administration, also had a wife who shared their social position.

Respectability came with length of residence and wealth.  The longer you lived in an area, the more successful you became, the more respected you were - and we might add, the more influence and power you had in community affairs.

Literature of the time insured that woman's mission was to be the "Mother's of Civilization".  A female support system grew to assist women in regulating society.  As one woman documented "150 volumes were purchased to start our new library".

Along with regulations, the female network also shared fashion and style, encouraging proper dress and correct behavior in this new society.  Here is where discouraged and frustrated frontier wives came to voice their opinions and share their feelings.  Female companionship helped relieve one tedium and burden of work on the frontier as well.

Women had little or no say yet in the politics and administration of a frontier town, but banded together for the good of the society.  Their mission found a voice and the power to make a difference.  In my younger days, these types of groups were called "ladies' circles" or "ladies club".

I would like to think that the suffragette movement began in one of these small frontier communities in someone's kitchen over fresh baked biscuits and coffee?


Next time...Education takes a front row seat...