Ruth B. Hipple (1873-1962) was an American suffragist.
Ruth Hipple was born Ruth Bowman in May 1873. [1] In 1878 Hipple's family moved from Black River Falls, Wisconsin to the Dakota Territory. [1] The family settled near Ashton two years later. [2]
Hipple learned shorthand and worked as a stenographer at the South Dakota state capital. [1] She married state auditor John Elmer Hipple in 1896. [1]
Hipple was an active proponent of women's suffrage. [2] In support of the suffrage movement, Hipple worked as an auditor and press secretary. [2] She was a member of the South Dakota Universal Franchise League's Legislative Committee in 1912. [1] [3] : 588 Starting in 1913, Hipple was an editor for the South Dakota Messenger , a publication for suffragists. [2] [3] : 585 Hipple and her husband frequently opened their home to suffragists traveling to Pierre. [2] [4]
For six months after the United States entered World War I, Hipple worked for the Red Cross and served on the executive committee for Pierre's Red Cross. [1] Hipple's residence in Pierre and her political connections allowed her to provide information to suffragists in South Dakota. Hipple received advance notice from Governor Peter Norbeck that he was considering adding a special session for the legislature. [1] Hipple passed that information along to South Dakota Franchise League's president Mamie Shields Pyle. [1]
Hipple started the local chapter of the Girl Scouts in Pierre. [2]
Hipple died on May 25, 1962. [1] Hipple's home has become a landmark operated by the National Park Service. [2] [4]