Maine Women's Hall of Fame facts for kids
Eleanor Roosevelt and Margaret Chase Smith
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| Established | 1990 |
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| Location | Bernard D. Katz Library University of Maine 46 University Drive Augusta, Maine 04330 |
The Maine Women's Hall of Fame celebrates amazing women from Maine. It started in 1990 to honor women who have made a big difference. Each year, new members are added during March, which is Women's History Month.
Anyone can suggest a woman for the Hall of Fame using an online form. The Hall of Fame is displayed at the University of Maine at Augusta's Bennett D. Katz Library. You can also find it online on the university's website.
To be chosen, a woman's achievements must have:
- Had a major impact across the whole state of Maine.
- Greatly improved the lives of women in Maine.
- Lasting value for women.
The first two women to join in 1990 were Mabel Sine Wadsworth and Margaret Chase Smith. Mabel Sine Wadsworth worked hard on issues like family health. She helped start the Wadsworth Women's Health Center.
Margaret Chase Smith was the first woman ever elected to the United States Senate. She even ran for President of the United States in 1964. She was also brave enough to speak out against Senator Joseph McCarthy in 1950.
Over the years, many other inspiring women have joined. These include Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit, and two more U.S. Senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. By 2011, 35 women had been honored for their important work in Maine.
Contents
What is the Maine Women's Hall of Fame?
The Maine Women's Hall of Fame is a special place that honors women from Maine. It recognizes their important achievements and contributions. These women have helped make Maine a better place. They have also improved the lives of other women.
How are Women Chosen for the Hall of Fame?
Each year, people can suggest women they think deserve to be honored. These suggestions are called nominations. The nominations are sent in online by December. A special committee then reviews all the nominations. They choose women who have shown great leadership and made a lasting impact.
Where is the Hall of Fame Located?
The Maine Women's Hall of Fame is located at the University of Maine at Augusta. You can find it inside the Bennett D. Katz Library. It's a place where visitors can learn about the amazing women who have been inducted.
Notable Inductees and Their Contributions
Many women from different fields have been honored. They include politicians, athletes, scientists, and community leaders. Each woman has a unique story of how she made a difference.
Early Inductees: Pioneers of Change
The first women inducted in 1990 set a high standard. Mabel Sine Wadsworth was a champion for women's health. She worked to ensure women had access to important health services.
Margaret Chase Smith was a groundbreaking politician. She was the first woman to serve in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Her career opened doors for many women in politics.
Athletes and Public Servants in the Hall
The Hall of Fame includes women who excelled in sports and public service. Joan Benoit is an Olympic gold medalist in marathon running. Her success inspired many athletes.
Several women who served in the United States Senate are also members. These include Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. They have both worked hard to represent Maine in the national government. Janet Mills is another notable inductee. She became the 75th Governor of Maine in 2019.
Women in Science and Education
The Hall of Fame also recognizes women who have made strides in science and education. Elizabeth S. Russell was a geneticist. She made important discoveries in her field.
Many university presidents and professors are also honored. These include Nancy H. Hensel, who led the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Theodora J. Kalikow was president of the University of Maine at Farmington. These women helped shape education in Maine.
Advocates for Human Rights and Community
Some inductees are known for their work in human rights and community support. Judith Magyar Isaacson was a Holocaust survivor and author. She became a strong voice for human rights.
Lois Galgay Reckitt worked to help victims of domestic violence. Sharon H. Abrams led the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers. These women dedicated their lives to helping others.
List of Inductees
| Name | Image | Birth–Death | Year | Area of achievement | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandra L. Caron | 2023 | Professor and author | |||
| Judy Kahrl | 2022 | Women's reproductive rights advocate | |||
| Jessica Meir | .jpg) |
2022 | Astronaut, biologist | ||
| Joyce Taylor Gibson | 2021 | Associate Professor of Leadership Studies at the University of Southern Maine | |||
| Leigh Saufley |  |
2021 | Dean of the University of Maine School of Law and former Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court | ||
| Joanne D’Arcangelo | 2020 | Feminist activist and political strategist, policy advocate and lobbyist,State House staffer, and non-profit leader | |||
| Betty-Jane Stanhope Meader | 2020 | Thomas College professor, former state president of the American Association of University Women of Maine and the Maine Association of Family and Consumer Sciences | |||
| Darylen McQuirk Cote | 2019 | Advocate for women's health, equality and education | |||
| Janet Mills | .jpg) |
2019 | 75th Governor of Maine | ||
| Julia Clukey | (b. 1985) | 2018 | Olympic luger | ||
| Cornelia Thurza "Fly Rod" Crosby | .png) |
(1854–1946) | 2018 | Maine’s First Licensed Guide | |
| Ann Schonberger | 2017 | University of Maine Mathematics. One of the founders of the Women’s Studies Program at the University of Maine Orono | |||
| Clara Swan | 2017 | President of Casco Bay College and a Husson College Business Professor | |||
| Connie Adler | 2016 | Physician and women's health advocate | |||
| Elizabeth Ward Saxl | 2016 | Victims' advocate | |||
| Ellen F. Golden | 2015 | Senior Vice President at CEI (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.) | |||
| Barbara W. Woodlee | 2015 | Retired president of Kennebec Valley Community College; chief academic officer for the Maine Community College System | |||
| Laurie G. Lachance | 2014 | First woman president of Thomas College | |||
| Patricia E. Ryan | 2014 | Executive director of the Maine Human Rights Commission and a founding member of the Maine Women's Lobby | |||
| Lyn Mikel Brown | (1956– ) | 2013 | Co-founder of Hardy Girls Healthy Women, activist, author, researcher and professor at Colby College | ||
| Mary Cathcart | (1942– ) | 2013 | Former Maine State Representative and State Senator; co-director of Maine NEW Leadership program of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center | ||
| Mary Farrar | 2012 | Victims' advocate | |||
| Ruth L. Lockhart | 2012 | Women's health advocate, women's rights activist, AIDS educator | |||
| Susan Collins |  |
(1952–) | 2011 | United States Senate | |
| Katherine O. Musgrave | (1920–2015) | 2011 | Professor Emerita of Food and Nutrition at the University of Maine; 2002 New England University Continuing Education Association Faculty Member of the Year Award | ||
| Thelma C. Swain | (1908–2008) | 2010 | Philanthropist | ||
| Sharon Barker | 2009 | Director University of Maine Women's Resource Center | |||
| Karen Heck | (b. 1952) | 2008 | Advocate for women's issues | ||
| Florence Brooks Whitehouse | .jpg) |
(1869–1945) | 2008 | Women's suffrage | |
| Laura Fortman |  |
2007 | Deputy Administrator, Wage and Hour Division U. S. Dept. of Labor; former Executive Director of the Frances Perkins Center | ||
| Dale McCormick | .jpg) |
(1947–) | 2007 | Former Maine State Treasurer, served in Maine State Senate | |
| Chilton R. Knudsen |  |
2006 | Bishop of Maine, Episcopal Church | ||
| Patricia M. Collins | 2005 | Mayor of Caribou (1981–1982), chairman of Maine Committee for Judicial Responsibility and Disability, and Catholic Charities Maine | |||
| Judy Ayotte Paradis | (1944– ) | 2005 | Maine House of Representatives | ||
| Sharon H. Abrams | 2004 | Executive Director of the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers in Waterville | |||
| Judith Magyar Isaacson | (1925–2015) | 2004 | Holocaust survivor, human rights activist, author of Seed of Sarah: Memoirs of a Survivor | ||
| Nancy H. Hensel | 2003 | President University of Maine at Presque Isle | |||
| Theodora J. Kalikow | (1941–) | 2002 | President, University of Maine at Farmington | ||
| Linda Smith Dyer | (d. 2001) | 2001 | Co-founder of Maine Women's Lobby | ||
| Chellie Pingree |  |
(1955– ) | 2001 | United States House of Representatives | |
| Caroline D. Gentile | (1924–2008) | 2000 | Physical education instructor | ||
| Joan Benoit Samuelson |  |
(1957–) | 2000 | American marathon runner who won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics | |
| Elizabeth H. Mitchell |  |
(1940– ) | 1999 | Maine State Senate | |
| Olympia J. Snowe |  |
(1947–) | 1999 | United States Senate | |
| Lois Galgay Reckitt | .jpg) |
(1944–2023) | 1998 | Executive Director, Family Crisis Services, Portland, Maine | |
| Ethel Wilson Gammon | (1916-2009) | 1997 | Founder, Washburn-Norlands Living History Center | ||
| Mildred Brown Schrumpf | (1903–2001) | 1997 | Home economist, nutritionist | ||
| Elizabeth W. Crandall | 1996 | Environmentalist, woman's issues advocate | |||
| Marti Stevens | (d. 1993) | 1996 | Theatre director, actress, director of Somerset County Basic Skills | ||
| Eloise Vitelli |  |
(1949– ) | 1995 | Founded Women's Business Development Corporation, advocate for entrepreneurship for women | |
| Esther E. Wood | (1905-2002) | 1994 | Writer, teacher, historian | ||
| Dorothy M. Healy | (1904–1990) | 1993 | College professor who, along with professor Grace A. Dow, established the Maine Women's Writers Collection; namesake of the Dorothy M. Healy Professorship at the University of New England | ||
| Ninetta May Runnals | (1885-1980) | 1992 | Dean of Women at Colby College | ||
| Gail H. Laughlin |  |
(1868–1952) | 1991 | First practicing female attorney from Maine, first president of Business and Professional Women's Foundation, served in both the Maine House of Representatives and Maine State Senate | |
| Gilda E. Nardone | 1991 | Director of Maine Displaced Homemakers Program | |||
| Elizabeth S. Russell |  |
(1913–2001) | 1991 | Geneticist | |
| Margaret Chase Smith |  |
(1897–1995) | 1990 | United States Senate, United States House of Representatives | |
| Mabel Sine Wadsworth | (1910–2006) | 1990 | Reproduction rights activist |
Images for kids
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Jessica Meir, an astronaut and biologist.
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Leigh Saufley, former Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.
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Janet Mills, the 75th Governor of Maine.
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Cornelia T. Crosby, Maine's first licensed guide.
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Susan Collins, a United States Senator.
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Florence Brooks Whitehouse, a leader in women's suffrage.
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Laura Fortman, Deputy Administrator, Wage and Hour Division U. S. Dept. of Labor.
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Dale McCormick, former Maine State Treasurer.
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Chilton R. Knudsen, Bishop of Maine, Episcopal Church.
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Chellie Pingree, a member of the United States House of Representatives.
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Joan Benoit, an American marathon runner and Olympic gold medalist.
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Elizabeth H. Mitchell, who served in the Maine State Senate.
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Olympia Snowe, a United States Senator.
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Lois Galgay Reckitt, Executive Director of Family Crisis Services.
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Eloise Vitelli, who founded the Women's Business Development Corporation.
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Gail Laughlin, Maine's first practicing female attorney.
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Elizabeth S. Russell, a geneticist.
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Margaret Chase Smith, a pioneering United States Senator.
See also
In Spanish: Salón de la Fama de las mujeres de Maine para niños
