Near Ramah in Cibola County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Matilda Coxe Stevenson (1849-1915)
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New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 20, 2016
1. Matilda Coxe Stevenson (1849-1915)
(marker east side)
(marker east side)
Matilda Coxe Stevenson (1849-1915). Matilda Coxe Stevenson was the first female anthropologist to study the Native Americans of New Mexico. Her research focused on the religious practices of indigenous peoples, particularly of the Zuni, and on the lives of native women and children. In 1885, she founded the Womans Anthropological Society of America, a national organization, in part to address the inequality of the sexes in the field of Anthropology.
New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative. The New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative was founded in 2005 by members of the New Mexico Women's Forum in a statewide effort to recognize women's contributions to New Mexico history on the state's Official Scenic Historic Markers. The Initiative ensures that women's diverse histories will be remembered and told, and will inspire and provide a guide for future generations. The 2006 Legislature funded the project.
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Women. In addition, it is included in the New Mexico Womens Historic Marker Initiative series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s Navajo Nation and in the San Juan Basin. It is also in the American Southwest and in Colorado Plateau. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Atsinna (approx. 1.9 miles away); Lemonade Sumac (approx. 1.9 miles away); Oasis (approx. 1.9 miles away); Preserving Our Heritage (approx. 2 miles away); Monumental Changes (approx. 2.1 miles away); Visitors Through the Ages (approx. 2½ miles away); El Morro National Monument Inscription Rock (approx. 2.6 miles away); Welcome to El Morro (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ramah.
Also see . . .
1. Matilda Coxe Stevenson. Matilda devoted her life to the study of the Native Americans of New Mexico. She started by assisting her husband and preparing catalogues of artifacts collected in the early expeditions to New Mexico. In 1879, she studied at Zuni Pueblo for six months and visited most of the other pueblos as well as Canyon de Chelly and Rito de los Frijoles (Bandelier National Park). (Submitted on December 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Matilda Coxe Stevenson (Wikipedia)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 20, 2016
2. New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative
(marker west side)
(marker west side)
3. Matilda Coxe Evans Stevenson. Stevenson was very aware of her role as a woman scientist and of her pioneering efforts, as well as of the advantages and disadvantages that this designation provided her. Being a woman granted her access to areas otherwise unattainable by male researchers, and at the same time, her sex limited her acceptance and credibility in the scientific community. (Submitted on December 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 20, 2016
3. Matilda Coxe Stevenson (1849-1915) Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 474 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
