New Mexico Women’s Historic Marker Initiative Historical Markers
The New Mexico Women’s Historic Marker Initiative markers series consists of close to 100 markers that now grace the highways and small towns in the state. See nmhistoricwomen.org for the complete list.
Dr. Gonzales was a pioneer in bilingual and bicultural education. She developed educational materials for students in New Mexico and Latin America and trained teachers in the curriculum. Born in Pecos, “Lola” taught in the area for . . . — — Map (db m45227) HM
In February 1706 several families participated in the founding of Albuquerque but the names of only 22 are preserved in the historical record. Within those families were many women honored as being founders of La Villa San Felipe de . . . — — Map (db m45230) HM
Harvey Girls
In 1883, the Fred Harvey Company hired women to serve in its diners and hotels along the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Thousands of respectable, intelligent women were recruited from the Midwest and East Coast to come . . . — — Map (db m45326) HM
In 1912, State Librarian Lola Chávez de Armijo filed a gender discrimination law suit after the governor sought to replace her by court order, claiming that as a woman, she was unqualified to hold office under the constitution and laws of New . . . — — Map (db m45333) HM
Attorney, public servant, and activist, Graciela Olivárez was a high school dropout who became the first woman graduate of Notre Dame Law School where an award is presented each year in her name. She led national anti-poverty efforts and ensured . . . — — Map (db m45225) HM
Ada McPherson Morley ran a ranch outside of Datil, New Mexico where she raised three children, including Agnes Morley Cleaveland. A crusader for women's rights, she opposed the infamous Santa Fe Ring, worked for women's suffrage for over thirty . . . — — Map (db m280075) HM
One of the first female radio stars in the 1930s, Louise's career spanned from 1918-1950. Her recordings in English and Spanish sold millions of copies. Heading the Roswell-based group, Louise Massey and the Westerners, she became known . . . — — Map (db m280094) HM
Educated at the Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania under the U.S. policy of acculturating Indian children through school and removal from their homelands, Susie was instrumental in bringing education back to Laguna. A lifelong teacher, oral . . . — — Map (db m280080) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m280078) HM
Women of the Santa Fe Trail. The Women of the Santa Fe Trail endured untold hardships traveling across the Great Plains. In 1829, six Hispanic women were the first known female travelers going east on the trail. In 1832, Mary Donoho was the . . . — — Map (db m280101) HM
Estella García. Estella García taught colcha embroidery at Melrose, New Mexico, for the Federal Arts Program in the 1930s. Anglo and Hispana women in Garcia's class collaborated to design and produce embroidered theater curtains, wall . . . — — Map (db m73703) HM
The name of the county Doña Ana originates from Doña Ana Robledo, who died near here while fleeing south with other settlers during the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. She was buried below the peak that now bears her surname in the Robledo Mountains, so named . . . — — Map (db m280149) HM
Punished for not speaking English in school, María Gutiérrez Spencer devoted her life to validating the Indo-Hispano experience. A graduate of University of California, Berkeley and New Mexico State University, she pioneered bilingual and bicultural . . . — — Map (db m89687) HM
During the terrible "la grippe" flu epidemic of
1918, Grandma fearlessly led other women in
nursing and feeding the sick in tents and shacks
along the banks of the Pecos River. She did not
lose a single patient, later opening a sanatorium
in . . . — — Map (db m300832) HM
After eight failed negotiating sessions and the expiration of their labor contract, Mexican-American workers at nearby Empire Zinc mine struck for wage and benefit equality. When an injunction prohibited union members from picketing, the women - . . . — — Map (db m280141) HM
This is a two-sided marker
Front Side:
Anita Scott Coleman’s mother was a slave and her father a Buffalo Soldier. Raised on a ranch near Silver City, her award-winning essays, stories, and poems emphasized racial pride and black women’s . . . — — Map (db m121818) HM
At four, Manuelita de Atocha (Mela) Lucero Leger read Spanish language newspapers to her blind grandfather in Colonias. Although New Mexico's constitution protects Spanish-speaking students, school children were often punished for speaking . . . — — Map (db m45893) HM
(Front): Emma Marble Muir (1873–1959)
Rita Wells Hill (1901–1985)
Janaloo Hill Hough (1939–2005)
Emma Marble Muir arrived at the mining town of Shakespeare in 1882. She and her daughter, Rita Wells Muir, learned . . . — — Map (db m38246) HM
This is a two sided markerFront of Marker
Dessie Sawyer was a rancher, philanthropist and political activist. Her work with community and charitable organizations advanced her into politics. She became the National Committee Woman . . . — — Map (db m73466) HM
Elizabeth Gutiérrez Garret wrote the words and music to "O, Fair New Mexico" adopted as New Mexico's state song in 1917. A talented soprano and composer, Elizabeth performed her own songs in concerts across the country. Blind since childhood, . . . — — Map (db m202830) HM
Susan "Susie" Parks operated the telephone switchboard in 1916. She and her husband, Garnet, owned and published the Columbus Courier newspaper and lived in back of the office on Broadway Street. Susie, alone with her infant daughter, Gwen, . . . — — Map (db m249176) HM
This is a two-sided markerFront Side:
Immortalized in literature and film, Kentucky native Carlotta Thurmond was the inspiration for Miss Kitty on television’s “Gunsmoke.” Having toured Europe’s best gambling houses as . . . — — Map (db m121902) HM
Born into slavery, Cathay was liberated in 1861 and worked as a cook for the Union army during the Civil War. In 1866 she enlisted in the U.S. Army as Private William Cathey serving with the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Cummings and Fort Bayard until . . . — — Map (db m280163) HM
This is a two-sided markerFront Side:
Born in 1827, Mary Ann Deming was married to Charles Crocker, one of the founders of the Central Pacific Railroad. A “silver spike” was driven here in 1881 that commemorated . . . — — Map (db m121958) HM
In New Mexico, women blessed with special knowledge of herbs, household remedies, human health and strong faith are trusted to cure real or imaged maladies. Known as Curanderas, these women have been an integral part of the Hispanic fabric in . . . — — Map (db m280176) HM
Lozen, a warrior and sister of the famous Warm Springs Apache chief Victorio, fought alongside her brother until his death in 1880 and later with his successors, Nana and Geronimo. Lozen also was a medicine woman and healer and, it was said, . . . — — Map (db m46033) HM
Born in Bavaria and widowed in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Yetta ran the family store and raised four children alone. She later moved to La Cinta on the Canadian River where she opened another store, became postmistress, started a bank and operated a . . . — — Map (db m78891) HM
One of America’s great and most celebrated painters of the twentieth century, Georgia O’Keeffe is known for her unique depictions of natural and architectural forms. She began spending summers painting in Northern New Mexico in 1929 and moved from . . . — — Map (db m280184) HM
Doña Margarita Martín c.1700-1743
Margarita Martín was born in La Soledad sometime around 1700. She married twice, first to Juan Manuel Padilla in 1721 and then
to Bernardo Roybal in 1731. Her will offers
a view of items found in wealthy . . . — — Map (db m308933) HM
Agueda is the matriarch of Hispanic weaving in New Mexico. From a very young age, she was known for her complex designs and natural dyes. She was the subject of the Academy Award-nominated documentary film, “Agueda Martinez: Our People, Our . . . — — Map (db m280194) HM
Esther Martinez served her community as an educator, linguist and storyteller. Her foremost contributions to our state are documenting and preserving the Tewa language and the art of storytelling. Esther was named a National Heritage Fellow in 2006 . . . — — Map (db m280195) HM
Pablita Velarde was an internationally acclaimed artist whose paintings largely depicted Pueblo life. She was commissioned by the WPA art's program to paint murals at Bandelier National Monument. Selected as one of New Mexico's "Living Treasures", . . . — — Map (db m45663) HM
Rose Powers White worked tirelessly to compile histories of early pioneers of southeastern New Mexico. She published numerous articles and was frequently asked to lecture to organizations and school groups. She served as president of the New . . . — — Map (db m56113) HM
Harriet was an astute financial manager and the first female bank president in New Mexico, operating the First National Bank in Farmington from 1922 until 1951. During the Depression she bought out San Juan National Bank, keeping it solvent and . . . — — Map (db m280209) HM
Dr. Meta L. Christy. Meta L. Christy, DO, is recognized by the American Osteopathic Association as the first black osteopath. Dr. Christy graduated in 1921 from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine as its first black . . . — — Map (db m45889) HM
Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert Raised on a ranch at La Liendre, Fabiola received a degree from New Mexico Normal School. She worked as a rural teacher and an agricultural Home Extension agent. In the 1930s, she became a charter member of La . . . — — Map (db m280213) HM
Jemez Pueblo. Evelyn M. Vigil, a descendant of the last remaining Pecos residents that moved to Jemez Pueblo in 1838, led a revival of Pecos Pueblo style pottery. She spent time at Pecos National Historic Park studying materials and techniques . . . — — Map (db m73244) HM
(side one)
According to oral and recorded history, the Santo Domingo people have always made and traded jewelry. From prehistoric times heishi, drilled and ground shell beads, have been strung into necklaces. Generations of Santo . . . — — Map (db m45475) HM
Women of Cochiti are known for reviving the historic figurative tradition now referred to as Storytellers, adult clay figurines surrounded by children. The efforts of these women have bloomed into a vibrant cottage industry, inspiring many potters . . . — — Map (db m280218) HM
(side one)
New Mexico has a proud history of military service. We are a state of culturally diverse citizens who are willing to defend our freedom and rights. Over 15,000 women in New Mexico have volunteered to serve in our military. These . . . — — Map (db m45458) HM
(front)
Teacher, agriculturalist, farmer and conservationist, Dulcelina Curtis led efforts to control flooding of arroyos in Corrales where a flood-control channel is named in her honor. The first woman appointed to a board of the U.S. . . . — — Map (db m45438) HM
Trinidad Gachupin Medina was the most widely known Zia potter of her time. She was recognized for her large polychrome storage jars. Sponsored by trader Wick Miller, she toured the United States from 1930 to 1946, demonstrating pottery making at . . . — — Map (db m280223) HM
Hispanic Women of Colonial New Mexico and Land Ownership
Hispanic Women of Colonial New Mexico and Land Ownership 1598-1821 Under Spanish law, women in New Mexico could buy, sell, and own property. A woman did not need her husband’s . . . — — Map (db m286209) HM
Hispanic Women of Colonial New Mexico and the Law
During the colonial period in New Mexico, Spanish law granted women important legal rights. Women conducted land deals, purchased property and livestock, operated businesses, kept their . . . — — Map (db m286285) HM
The St. Francis Women's Club was instrumental in raising funds to rebuild San Francisco de Asís Church, which had been condemned and demolished in about 1960.
Their main fundraiser was the annual Fourth of July Ceremonial, featuring dances of . . . — — Map (db m32833) HM
Feliciana Tapia Viarrial helped establish today's
Pueblo of Pojoaque. Pojoaque, or Posuwageh, water
drinking place, is a Tewa village founded circa A.D.
900. By 1919, the Pojoaque homelands were severely
diminished. Most members left . . . — — Map (db m32835) HM
Maria Martinez was a self-taught potter who helped elevate Pueblo pottery to a respected art form. She and her husband Julian were successful polychrome potters and together revived black pottery. Their work improved the economic conditions of the . . . — — Map (db m45657) HM
(side one)
Amelia Elizabeth White (1878-1972)
Amelia Elizabeth White worked tirelessly to promote Indian art and to preserve Santa Fe's heritage. A philanthropist and community activist, she donated land for the Laboratory of . . . — — Map (db m45484) HM
Doña Teresa de Aguilera y Roche was an aristocratic and educated woman in seventeenth century New Mexico. She and her husband, Governor Bernardo López de Mendizábal, exhibited elite lifestyles rarely seen in the remote colony. As governor, don . . . — — Map (db m270133) HM
In 1943, J. Robert Oppenheimer hand-picked Dorothy Scarritt McKibbin, a Smith College graduate, to run a liaison office for the Manhattan Project out of 109 East Palace Avenue in Santa Fe. Known as the "Gatekeeper of Los Alamos," McKibbin vetted all . . . — — Map (db m270129) HM
Katherine was the fourth American woman to earn a pilot's license and the first female skywriter. She overcame pioneering aviator Max Lillie's reluctance to teach her to fly, and became the "Flying Schoolgirl," nicknamed for her youthful looks, . . . — — Map (db m185053) HM
(side one)
An outstanding photographer of the twentieth century, Laura Gilpin is best known for capturing southwestern cultures and landscapes on film. When her car ran out of gas on the Navajo reservation in 1930, she began . . . — — Map (db m45483) HM
(side one)
Maria Gertrudis Barceló or Doña Tules, a notorious gambler and courtesan, operated a gambling house and saloon on Burro Alley in Santa Fe. She traveled up El Camino Real from Sonora, Mexico in 1815. Bishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy . . . — — Map (db m45479) HM
Four Sisters of Loretto, Mother Magdalen Hayden and Sisters Roberta Brown, Rosana Dant and Catherine Mahoney, arrived in Santa Fe from Kentucky on September 26, 1852. In January 1853 they established Our Lady of Light Academy, later known as . . . — — Map (db m119764) HM
(side one)
The first Sisters of Charity arrived in New Mexico Territory in 1865 from Cincinnati at the request of Bishop Lamy with the mission of serving all people regardless of race, religion or ability to pay. Hundreds of sisters . . . — — Map (db m45482) HM
Eva Scott Fenyes, 1849-1930 Leonora Scott Muse Curtin, 1879-1972
Three generations of one family worked more than 100 years to preserve the cultural heritage of New Mexico. Eva Fenyes created an artistic and photographic record of missions . . . — — Map (db m45481) HM
Arriving in the silver mining boomtown of Kingston in 1886, Sadie Jane Creech Orchard is arguably the most colorful woman in New Mexico history. Sadie opened brothels, worked as a prostitute, built and operated hotels, restaurants, and co-owned and . . . — — Map (db m280236) HM
Magnolia Ellis was a "magnetic healer." Born in Hill County, Texas, she settled in Hot Springs, today's Truth or Consequences, in 1937, and built a two-story residence and office that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. She denied . . . — — Map (db m253637) HM
Carrie Wooster Tingley came to the territory of New Mexico in 1910 seeking treatment for tuberculosis. By 1937, she was the state's first lady and a strong advocate for sick and disadvantaged children. She established Carrie Tingley Hospital for . . . — — Map (db m253249) HM
(front)
Magnolia Ellis was a healer with a special gift. She opened a clinic in Hot Springs, today's Truth or Consequences. Patients claimed to have a feeling of electricity when she touched them. Recognized by most notable doctors of the . . . — — Map (db m45109) HM
Traveling with the colonizing expedition of Juan de Oñate, Doña Eufemia rallied Spanish soldiers to persevere when morale broke down during their long journey on the Camino Real. Settling in present-day New Mexico, she rallied 22 women to defend the . . . — — Map (db m280243) HM
Front of Marker
In 1598 the first Spanish settlers in New Mexico traveled up the Camino Real from north-central Mexico. Of the 560 people so far identified on that expedition, at least 20 percent were women. They came on foot, on wagons or . . . — — Map (db m45131) HM
By the early 20th century, Spanish traditions hundreds of years old began to fade from the northern New Mexico landscape. There was concerted effort to preserve them by newly arrived artists and people whose families lived the
traditions for . . . — — Map (db m308935) HM
Maria Ramita Simbola Martinez, Cora Durand, and Virginia Duran helped to preserve the distinctive micaceous pottery tradition that is important in Picuris and other nearby pueblos. Made with locally mined mica-rich clay, these unusual pots have a . . . — — Map (db m43808) HM
Captive Women and Children of Taos County. In August 1760, around sixty women and children were taken captive in a Comanche raid on Ranchos de Taos. That raid is an example of the danger of living on New Mexico's frontier during the 17th and . . . — — Map (db m45719) HM
In 1941, Doña Concha became the first female majority whip of a state legislature in the United States. She championed legislation for women's rights, the disabled, and bilingual education. Previously, she founded the first state vocational . . . — — Map (db m280256) HM
Sarah "Sally" J. Rooke
(1843-1908)
Heroine of the Dry Cimarron Flood
On the night of August 27, 1908, while working as a telephone operator, Sally received a call that a wall of water was rushing down the Dry Cimarron River towards . . . — — Map (db m104838) HM
