Trailblazing Women

TRAILBLAZING WOMEN OF IDAHO EXHIBIT

Beginning with Sacajawea, Idaho women have proven themselves true pioneers. The Idaho State Museum is currently offering an interactive exhibition honoring their many accomplishments in the political, cultural, economic, academic, social and civic fields. “Trailblazing Women of Idaho” highlights more than one hundred stories, including those of 20 living trailblazers, like Former State Senator and IdaHome contributor, Cherie Buckner-Webb. The exhibit runs through November 2021.

Here are a few of our favorites!

Margaret Roberts

Courtesy of The Idaho State Archives, 75-5-11

1. Margaret Roberts- Suffragist, Idaho’s first delegate to the National Council of Women Voters, nicknamed Idaho’s “Petticoat Governor” and “The Susan B. Anthony of Idaho”

Polly Bemis

Courtesy of The Idaho State Archives, 71-185-29

2. Polly Bemis- Chinese immigrant; beloved community member, found freedom in the wilderness and overcame life’s hardships.

Mildred Bailey

Courtesy Library of Congress

3. Mildred Bailey- Coeur d’Alene Tribal member, “The Queen of Swing,” used traditional singing techniques to influence jazz sound as credited by Billie Holiday, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and more

Dr. Mamie Oliver

Courtesy of The Idaho State Museum

4. Dr. Mamie Oliver- Idaho’s first African American professor, laid the groundwork for preserving African American history in Idaho

Ellen Ochoa

Courtesy NASA, Willian P. Gottlieb Collection, LC-GLB23-0039

5. Ellen Ochoa- Ellen Ochoa is a former astronaut and former director of the Johnson Space Center. In 1993, Ochoa became the first Hispanic woman to go to space, serving on a nine-day mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Bonnie McCarroll

Courtesy of The Idaho State Archives, 994

6. Bonnie McCarroll- Rodeo champion, one of the most popular rodeo performers in the world during the 1920s

BOISE’S WONDER WOMEN

Jade Loville

Photo courtesy BSU Athletics

1. Jade Loville-BSU basketball superstar -Jade Loville scored in double figures 19 times last season for BSU basketball and set the school’s single game scoring record with 40 points, tied third-most in conference league history. The super-star player, soon to play for Pac-12 Arizona, spiked controversy by kneeling during the national anthem. “As a Black woman in America, I have things that I have to deal with every single day for the rest of my life that some of my white peers will never go through. That, to me, is more important, not only for myself, but for other young Black women and young Black men. I thought raising awareness for them is much more important than just conforming to what society wants me to do.”

Marlene Tromp

Photo courtesy Boise State University

2. BSU President Marlene Tromp-“Listening is crucial to leading, and never more so than during the challenging and divisive times in which we find ourselves. We must invest fully in understanding those we seek to lead and serve, and then in leading with empathy, integrity and genuine care.”

Katie Hirai Niemann

Photo Courtesy of Robert Hirai

3. Katie Hirai Niemann-4th generation Japanese American and native Idahoan, 3rd generation past-President of the Boise Valley Japanese American Citizens League, current Secretary and Education Chair. “My family first came to Idaho when my grandmother at the age of 16 was incarcerated at Minidoka during WWII. Shikata-ga-ni is Japanese for “it is what it is” or “it cannot be helped.” This is the saying my ancestors told each other for peace of mind as they were forced to sell everything, pack one suitcase, and go somewhere with no destination or duration. Unlike them, we cannot let fear and bigotry allow us to put our the heads down…We must speak out, support each other, be allies, and upstanders.”

Amber and Rachael Beierle

Photo courtesy Amber Beierle

4. Amber and Rachael Beierle-One of four plaintiff couples that sued Idaho over its 2006 voter-approved constitutional amendment that defined marriage as between one man and one woman. On Oct. 7, 2014, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals finally struck down the ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. Amber and Rachael were married on Oct. 15, 2014, in Boise. Now, amicably divorced and co-parenting, Amber says,“It was a scary process, but it was also heartening and important to help bring legal equality. We’re very proud of being part of that history.”

Lauren McLean

Photo courtesy City of Boise

5. Mayor Lauren McLean- “The most important thing I learned this year is something we all know deep down: Boiseans are ready to help. Residents from across our city have answered the call, rolled up their sleeves, and began tackling the challenges our city faces. I’m so proud of the partnerships that have been forged and excited for Boise’s future as we work to make Boise an even better city for everyone.”

Amy Gile

6. Amy Gile, CEO of SilverDraft Supercomputing- “The best advice I ever got was to be true to who I am and trust my gut. It is vital you truly listen to yourself and others. If you listen, the answers will come.”