Illustrator, Lecturer, Social Worker, New Hampshire Politician: Effie Brown (Earll) Slingerland Yantis (1869-1950)

Posted on 12 March, 2015 by Janice Brown
Effie Brown (Earll) Slingerland Yantis (1869-1950)

Effie Brown (Earll) Slingerland Yantis (1869-1950)

In 1922, Effie E. Yantis is quoted as saying: “I happen to know two girls who both made failures of their first lemon pies. One said, “I will never make another lemon pie;” the other, “I shall never give up till I learn how to make the best lemon pie anyone ever tasted.”  To carry on no matter what happens is the only road to success.”  Effie was familiar with success.  She had graduated from Cornell in 1893, and had produced lantern slides that were being used all over the world.  She had helped to start the home economics program at Cornell.  In New Hampshire, she was a member of the Legislature from 1922-1926, introducing the first bills by a woman.

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New Hampshire’s First Female Banker and Financier: Winchester’s Jane Grace Alexander (1848-1932)

Posted on 8 March, 2015 by Janice Brown
Jane Grace Alexander of Winchester NH

Jane Grace Alexander of Winchester NH

Jane Grace Alexander, was born October 26, 1848 in Winchester, New Hampshire, daughter of Edward & Lucy M. (Capron) Alexander.   She was the first woman in New Hampshire to be elected treasurer of a bank. In 1881,  she was elected treasurer of the Winchester’s Security Savings Bank, having worked at the Winchester National Bank since 1872.

[Editor’s note: Though some biographies state that she was the first woman in the United States to be elected treasurer of a bank, it appears that Mrs. Susanna Duncklee, of Newton, Massachusetts has the distinction of being the first woman bank treasurer in America. Miss Duncklee was elected to that office in 1874.] Continue reading →

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New Hampshire’s first Female Senator: Bristol’s E. Maude (Fowler) Ferguson (1883-1932)

Posted on 4 March, 2015 by Janice Brown
E. Maude Ferguson

E. Maude Ferguson, from Manual for the General Court, 1931, State of New Hampshire

We’d like to think that following the passage of the 19th Amendment that New Hampshire women were being voted into all positions. We weren’t–we were late bloomers.

By 1948 only four women had served in the New Hampshire Senate. Mrs. E. Maude Ferguson of Bristol was the first, in 1931. Six years passed before Mrs. Lula J.A. Morris of Lancaster became a Senator in 1937. Mrs. Mary Caron became the third in 1945 (but she was the first female Democrat, and the first woman elected Senate minority leader) and Miss Doris M. Spollett the fourth in 1947. Continue reading →

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Manchester New Hampshire’s Human Rights Champion, Volunteer, Civic and Community Leader: Vanessa Leah Washington-Johnson-Bloemen (1953-2011)

Posted on 2 March, 2015 by Janice Brown
Johnson-Vanessa

Vanessa L. Washington-Johnson Bloemen, posing at the Kancamagus Highway. Photograph courtesy of Dale Bloemen, used with his permission.

Many living in Manchester New Hampshire today probably have heard of Vanessa Washington-Johnson-Bloemen.  This is because she worked in, and behind the scenes of, countless city organizations or agencies.  Her goal was to solve problems and promote the interests of young and old within her own community.

She died four years ago today, on March 2, 2011.  She was 57 years old. I think she would have preferred that we remember her life, and the causes she championed.

Her husband, Dale Bloemen, expressed that there is one thing that he would like said about her in this story.  As his oldest daughter noted, “Vanessa was a person who never met a stranger. People who met her immediately felt like she was a familiar friend.” I was one of those.
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National Women’s History Month: Weaving New Hampshire’s Stories In Granite

Posted on 28 February, 2015 by Janice Brown
2015 Women's History Month Theme: Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives


March 2015: Women’s History Month Theme: Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives, from the National Women’s History Project

This year [2015] is the 35th anniversary of the National Women’s History Project.  The group grew from a few concerned educators and history activists in California, to  a more substantial collective of both women and men today.   Since 1909 various “Women’s Days” have been held, but it was not until 1987 that the entire month of March was designated as Women’s History Month. Continue reading →

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