Maud Neprud Otjen was the first woman in Wisconsin to be a county superintendent of schools and encouraged women to be involved in civic life.

On June 10, 1919, Wisconsin became the first to ratify the 19th Amendment guaranteeing women's suffrage, or the right to vote.

Laura Ross Wolcott was the first woman physician in Wisconsin and was active in the women’s suffrage movement.

Lutie Stearns, “the Johnny Appleseed of books,” started free libraries all over Wisconsin and was an outspoken advocate for social justice.

Helen Farnsworth Mears's statue of Frances Willard was the first sculpture of a woman to be placed in National Statuary Hall.

Belle Case La Follette was the first woman to graduate from law school in Wisconsin and an outspoken advocate for women's right to vote.

Jessie Jack Hooper, a suffragist, was president of the Wisconsin League of Women Voters and also ran for the U.S. Senate in 1922.

Ada James was a Wisconsin suffragist leader who worked for women’s rights and other reforms in the early 20th century.

Lavinia Goodell was the first female lawyer admitted to the bar of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

In 1921, American author and playwright Zona Gale became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, for the play MISS LULU BETT.