Nebraska

In 1856, earlier than any legislative body in the world, the Nebraska Territorial House of Representatives granted women full voting rights -- but the precedent was forgotten in a fight over the capital site.  In 1924, however, voters elected four women to the state legislature.

Sarah T. Muir

    Sarah T. Muir, a Republican from Lincoln, Nebraska, became one of the first women to serve in the Nebraska State Legislature in 1924. She was elected along with Clara C. Humphrey and Mabel A. Gillespie.   Muir represented the 36th District, Lancaster County, for one term in the State House of Representatives.

    Before and after serving in this office, Muir was a high school English teacher at Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Nebraska. Muir was a teacher until she retired in 1936. While teaching, she earned the reputation of “English teacher extraordinaire,” because of her inspirational mentorship with her students.

Clara C. Humphrey

    In 1924, Clara C. Humphrey, a Republican from Mullen, Nebraska, became one of the first women to be elected to the Nebraska State Legislature. She was elected along with Sarah T. Muir and Mabel A. Gillespie. Humphrey represented Hooker County in the House of Representatives for one term.

Mabel  A. Gillespie

    Mabel A. Gillespie, a Democrat from Gretna, Nebraska, was one of the first women to be elected to the Nebraska State Legislature in 1924. In the same year two other women were elected to the State Legislature, Sarah T. Muir and Clara C. Humphrey. Gillespie represented Sarpy County in the House of Representatives for one term. In 1940, Gillespie served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. In 1944, Gillespie was a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, where she would have represented the second district.