Midtown in Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Luella Johnston
19th Amendment Outdoor Museum
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 20, 2021
1. Luella Johnston Marker
The first woman elected to the Sacramento City Council and the first woman to be elected to the city council of any major city in the United States. She was elected as part of a slate of Progressive candidates, defeating the railroad-aligned incumbents. Her campaign had the backing of the Woman's Council, an association of women's clubs she helped found. While in office Johnston focused on education, flood control, street lighting, parks, playgrounds, libraries, cultural facilities, utility rates, and advancement of city morals.
Erected 2020 by Maren Conrad.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Government & Politics • Women.
Location. 38° 34.542′ N, 121° 28.88′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in Midtown. Marker is at the intersection of K Street and 19th Street, on the right when traveling east on K Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1900 K Street, Sacramento CA 95811, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Alice Dunbar Nelson (here, next to this marker); Zitkála-Šá (here, next to this marker); Lavinia Gertrude Watson (a few steps from this marker); Jovita Idár
this page online
More about this marker. This is one of nineteen markers that comprise the 19th Amendment Outdoor museum, erected in 2020 as part of the "I Vote" project, honoring suffragettes and their work.
Also see . . . Luella Johnston. Wikipedia biography:
"Luella Johnston (née Buckminster, 1861 – March 11, 1958), was an early 20th-century American businesswoman, civic reformer, and suffragist who was also the first woman elected to the Sacramento City Council (then called the City Commission), where she served from 1912 to 1913. Her election was the first time a woman was elected to a city council in California or of any major American city." (Submitted on April 25, 2021.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 20, 2021
2. Luella Johnston Marker - wide view...
with portraits and markers for Luella Johnston (L) and Alice Dunbar Nelson (R).
Bain News Service (courtesy of the Library of Congress), circa 1900
3. Mrs. Luella Johnston
"California’s First Councilwoman"
Sacramentality website entry
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Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 25, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
