The latest inductee into the Hall of Famous Missourians is actually a Virginia native, who became famous while living in St. Louis and fighting for the right to vote for women.
Virginia Louisa Minor organized and became president of the Woman Suffrage Association of Missouri, said to have been the first organization anywhere devoted to the single aim of women’s suffrage.
Minor is perhaps best known for arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1874 that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, then only six years old, gave women the right to vote. She was unsuccessful in that case, but as House Speaker Tim Jones said at her induction, she never gave up.
“We’re here today to honor Virginia Minor for her perseverance, above all. Her indomitable will and desire to give women the right to vote and place women on a level playing field with her male counterparts,” said Jones.
Jones says Minor helped lay a foundation for women to advance.
“Because of her efforts, and so many others, we now live in a society where women not only vote, but where they also serve as elected officials and as leaders in any field or endeavor they chose to pursue.”
A bust of Minor joins more than 40 other famous Missourians in the Hall, in the 3rd floor Rotunda of the State Capitol.
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- Virginia Louisa Minor
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- The bust of Virginia Louisa Minor, sculpted by Cynthia Hitschler
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- House Speaker Tim Jones views the unveiled bust of Virginia Lousia Minor
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- House Speaker Tim Jones speaks about Virginia Louisa Minor prior to the unveiling of her bust.
