Ruth B. Hipple

Last updated

Ruth B. Hipple (1873-1962) was an American suffragist.

Contents

Early life

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]

Career

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]

Death and legacy

Hipple died on May 25, 1962. [1] Hipple's home has become a landmark operated by the National Park Service. [2] [4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Ruth Bowman Hipple". History in South Dakota. November 14, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "John E. and Ruth Hipple House--Pierre, South Dakota: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary". www.nps.gov. Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Harper, Ida Husted (1920). The History of Woman Suffrage. National American Woman Suffrage Association.
  4. 1 2 Bloom, Laura Begley (March 19, 2018). "A State-By-State Guide To The Top Women's History Landmarks In America". Forbes. Retrieved April 19, 2019.