Louisa Ann Swain sculpture.

Statue of First Woman to Vote

Louisa Ann Swain was 68 years old when she moved with her family from Indiana to Wyoming. A year later she was in Laramie -- which was still just a railroad tent city -- walking down a street with a bucket to buy some yeast. She passed a polling place and, apparently on impulse, decided to go in and vote. No one stopped her, making Louisa the first woman in U.S. history to vote in a general election.

Another 50 years would pass before most American women would have the same option.

On September 6, 2008, the 138th anniversary of Louisa's vote, a bronze statue of her titled "The Franchise" was unveiled in Laramie. Louisa wears a shawl and clutches her paper ballot and yeast bucket, although some say that the whole yeast bucket thing is just a myth. But not her vote; she really did vote.

Statue of First Woman to Vote

Wyoming Women's History House

Address:: 317 S. 2nd St., Laramie, WY
Directions:: Wyoming Women's History House. Downtown, on the east side of S. 2nd St., just north of its intersection with E. Garfield St.
Hours:: Visible from the street, although often gated. Local health policies may affect hours and access.

Nearby Offbeat Places

Big Twig Head, Laramie, WY - < 1 mi.

Matthew Shepard Memorial Bench, Laramie, WY - < 1 mi.

Big Brown T. Rex Made of Copper, Laramie, WY - < 1 mi.

In the region:

F-84F And C-130 Aircraft, Cheyenne, WY - 41 mi.

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