The 1976 Women in New Mexico Exhibit by the American Association of University Women - New Mexico

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  Exhibit Introduction

  This show recognizes the significant contributions made by the women of New Mexico throughout the years.

  It was apparent from the beginning of this project, by the Albuquerque Branch, American Association of University women, that there were, and are, far too many notable women to document in one exhibit. A careful selection process, based on ordered criteria, progressively narrowed the ...Read More

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  Bertha Dutton

  Bertha Dutton is an internationally recognized scholar whose interests range from research on history of Indians of the Southwest to interpretation and preservation of their present culture and crafts. Her work as anthropologist, museum administrator, writer, and lecturer has greatly enlarged our understanding of new Mexico's Indian people.

  She came to New Mexico from Nebraska in 1932 and received a ...Read More

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  Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven

  Concha Ortiz y Pino de Kleven was born in Galisteo, New Mexico, where her family had lived since the 17th century. Her grandmother was the village matriarch, and her sense of personal responsibility for care and welfare of its residents was deeply ingrained in the young girl.

  Concha has shouldered that same responsibility in modern day terms -- in a ...Read More

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  Evelyn Fisher Frisbie

  A 1902 graduate of Illinois College of Medicine with degrees in medicine and surgery, Dr. Frisbie arrived in the Territory of New Mexico in 1908. From her parents' homestead near Wagon Mound, she set up practice -- often riding horseback to see patients in Ocate, 25 miles away. In 1911, she moved to Albuquerque, where she was the only woman ...Read More

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  Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert

  Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert, a New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service agent, was devoted to teaching residents of the state's northern rural areas skills to upgrade the quality of their daily lives. As a writer, she has documented an important part of our state's cultural heritage -- the traditions, customs and patterns of daily life of the descendants of the ...Read More

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  Franc Johnson Newcomb

  Franc Newcomb was born with a photographic memory and irrepressible energy, both of which enabled her to perform an invaluable service in the preservation of ancient Navaho rites and customs.

  Arriving at Fort Defiance, Arizona, in 1912 to teach Navaho children for the U.S. Indian Service, she met Arthur Newcomb, a young trading post operator. They were married in 1914 ...Read More

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  Grace Thompson Edmister

  Grace Thompson Edmister was probably the first woman in the nation to direct a city orchestra. As organizer of the music department at the University of New Mexico and founder of the Albuquerque Symphony Orchestra, she has given many years of service to New Mexico's cultural life.

  Grace came to New Mexico in 1918 on a stretcher. Doctors in Ohio ...Read More

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  Ina Sizer Cassidy

  Ina Sizer Cassidy is best remembered in New Mexico for the "Art and Artists" monthly column she wrote for New Mexico Magazine for 29 years, from 1931 to 1960. Through this column she was able to play a major role as a promoter of the arts in this state.

  Mrs. Cassidy's columns ranged in subject matter from critiques of art ...Read More

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  Julia Brown Asplund

  Julia Asplund had a lively concern for all social legislation but her greatest efforts through 50 active years in New Mexico were devoted to her determined fight to bring library service to all New Mexicans.

  The first trained librarian in the territory, she came to Albuquerque in 1903 to organize the Territorial University's library. In 1905 she resigned her position ...Read More

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  Laura Gilpin

  Laura Gilpin has been a professional photographer for almost 60 years. Her work is art. She has done more to record photographically the Southwest and its people than any other living person.

  Born in Colorado, she developed an interest in photography as a young girl. She has been called a born observer -- one who is somehow able to see ...Read More

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  Louise Coe

  Louise Coe was the first woman elected to the New Mexico State Senate, and at 28 was the youngest person at the time to hold the office. Improvement of the state's system of public education was her main concern during four consecutive terms, from 1925 to 1941.

  As chairman of the Senate education committee for 10 years, she was influential ...Read More

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  Natachee Scott Momaday

  Natachee Scott Momaday has spent her lifetime pursuing not one but three careers: education, writing and art. She has effectively combined these careers to advance the culture of the American Indian and further his acceptance of and by the Anglo world.

  Natachee was born in Kentucky to a Cherokee mother and Anglo father. She began writing at an early age, ...Read More

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  Sr Blandina Segale

  Sister Blandina Segale set a rule for herself when she came to the Southwest from Ohio in 1872: "Do whatever presents itself, and never omit anything because of hardship or repugnance." It was a simple rule, but not easy to carry out in rugged, lawless New Mexico of the late 1800's. Her letters verify that she was able to abide ...Read More

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  Pablita Velarde

  Pablita Velarde has gained worldwide recognition as a Pueblo Indian whose paintings depict the traditions, culture and daily life of her people. These are changing rapidly as the pueblos move forward in time, uncomfortably elbowed by neighboring cultures. Pablita's combination of background, talent and intense commitment to record the old ways net her a unique place in the history of ...Read More

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  Exhibit Purpose and Selection Criteria

  Purpose: To illustrate to the community how a number of New Mexican women have made notable contributions to life in this state.

  Criteria for selection:

  1. Her contribution(s) - to the present, to her own time period
  2. How much and what type of documentation is available on her?
  3. How available are her artifacts and products?
     • a. Artifacts:
       • i. ...Read More