Celebrate Women's History Month

New Mexico has some amazing women in our history!

Soledad Chavez de Chacon (1890-1936) From 1923-1927, Soledad Chavez de Chacon served two terms as the NM Secretary of State. She was the first woman to hold that office in New Mexico. In 1924 she served as acting Governor in the absence of Governor Hinkle. This was especially notable in that New Mexico was the first state in the Union to acknowledge a woman as its chief executive. From 1935-36, she served a term in the NM House of Representatives.

Dr. Meta Christy (unknown) Dr. Christy, a daughter of slave parents, was the first Black osteopath in the world. She practiced in Las Vegas, New Mexico, beginning a lifetime of noteworthy service in the early 1900s.

Lula Mildred Smith Greer Click (1879-1973) Lula Click, also known as Mother Click, an African American woman, was one of the founders of God's House Church in Albuquerque (c. 1950), which is still active today.

Florence Hawley Ellis (1917-1991) Florence Hawley Ellis was a world-renowned anthropologist and a Professor at the University of New Mexico. She was one of the first anthopologists to date Southwest pottery through the study of three rings. The technique first applied extensively at Chaco Canyon. She established the Department of Dendrochronology at the University of New Mexico and the University of Chicago. In 1980 the Ghost Ranch Anthropology Museum was dedicated in her name.

Christine Gonzales was the first woman locomotive engineer of the Santa Fe Railway, and the third generation of a railroad family. Her first job as engineer was dumping ore cars at the Hurley smelter.

Emily Harwood (1842-1902) In 1869 she came with her husband, Reverand Thomas Harwood, to work among the Spanish-speaking girls in New Mexico. She was a pioneer in bilingual education and established the Harwood School and Home for girls in Albuquerque.

Marquita Largo (unknown) In 1974, Marquita Largo became the first female commissioned police officer on a Navajo Indian Reservation. She was commissioned by the New Mexico State Police.

Lozen (unknown) Lozen was a Chiricahua Apache warrior, named "Warrior Woman" by Geronimo. The Chiricahua Apaches have a strong tradition of women warriors, including Lozen and Cochise's sister, who's name is not known. They sat in council with men.

Georgia Lee Lusk (1893-1970) Georgia Lusk was the state's first Congresswoman; she served as the United States Representative from New Mexico to the 80th Congress. She was Lea County Superintendent of Schools from 1924-1928 and became State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1930.

Patricia Madrid was elected in 1998 as the first woman Attorney General in New Mexico. In 1978 she was one of the first two Hispanics to earn a law degree from the University of New Mexico Law School and was the first woman elected District Court Judge in 1983.

Reba Mera (unknown) Reba Mera sewed the first New Mexico State Flag in 1923. She is nicknamed "Mrs. Betsy Ross of New Mexico."

Graciela Olivarez (1928-1987) Graciela Olivarez was the first woman to graduate from Notre Dame Law School. She was a professor at the University of New Mexico Law School and head of the State Planning Commission under Governor Apodaca. President Lyndon Johnson appointed her Vice Chair of the US Commission on Population Growth and American Future. President Jimmy Carter appointed her to the Community Services Administration. She received many awards, including "Outstanding Mexican American Women in the Southwest Award."

Maria Adelina Isabel Emelia Otero-Warren (1881-1951) Nina Otero-Warren was an educator, businesswoman, and one of the first women born in New Mexico to become professionally and politically active. She was appointed school superintendent of Santa Fe. She was state chairperson of the Women's Republican Organization and long time chairperson of the State's Federation of Women's Clubs' legislative committee. Much credit for New Mexico having obtained suffrage is due to Nina Otero-Warren.

Verna Olguin Williamson was elected the first female Governor of Isleta Pueblo in 1987.