Suffragist Honored by Missouri House

Virginia Minor, a pioneering suffragist, was inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians on September 9 in recognition of her work fighting for women’s political rights.

The Hall of Famous Missourians is a series of busts around the state Capitol’s rotunda honoring individuals who have made a tremendous impact on our state and nation, including Sacajawea, Dred Scott, Ginger Rogers, and Jack Buck.

Minor, who was born in Virginia in 1824 but later moved to Missouri, was the plaintiff in Minor v. Happersett, which contended that the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution granted women the right to vote. She filed this case after trying to register to vote in St. Louis County, and it was argued in front of the US Supreme Court in 1875. Though the court ruled against Minor, her efforts laid the groundwork for the future recognition of women’s rights.

She was active in the St. Louis Ladies Union Aid Society during the Civil War and founded the Woman Suffrage Association of Missouri in 1867. She was president of the organization until 1871 and passed away in St. Louis in 1894.

I had the honor of emceeing her induction ceremony, which featured the unveiling of Minor’s bust, crafted by Missouri resident Cynthia Hess Hitschler. The sculpture has been placed in the Capitol Rotunda for generations of tourists to enjoy.

To view a map of the Hall of Famous Missourians or a list of the honored individuals, visit http://www.house.mo.gov/famous.aspx.