In May, 2023, I was invited to speak at the South Dakota History Conference on a panel about South Dakota suffragists. The three of us spoke to the theme of Perseverance. I chose to highlight the lives of two women who bookmark the South Dakota suffragist campaigns of 1890 and 1918.

Nettie Crabbs Hall worked as a foot soldier in the 1890 campaign, the first of six campaigns to change the South Dakota Constitution to grant woman full voting rights. Mamie Shields Pyle led the final campaign to victory in 1918.

I encourage you to view the presentation: Six South Dakota Suffragists who Persevered . My talk begins at 20:00 minutes

In my presentation, I explore how the life stories of both women influenced their advocacy and how they persevered against difficult conditions and stiff opposition to their cause.

Liz Almlie, the first speaker on the panel provides information on 1918 organizer Emma Smith DeVoe and 1908 suffrage leader Lydia B Johnson. I spoke next, and Kelly Kirk, the third speaker, shared information about two women active in the 1918 campaign, journalist Ruth Hipple and campaign finance chair Mabel Rewman.

The conference was sponsored by the South Dakota Historical Society.