"You’ve come a long way Baby" the new exhibit at the Webster Museum recognizes the first ladies of Webster. Webster BPW (Business and Professional Women) is an organizaton supported by business women it started in Em Suter’s store one of our first women to own a business in Webster. The organization gave out awards to outstanding women leaders nominated by the residents of Webster. Marie Stone, Mary Knight, Esther Dunn all teachers and some of the first voted into their Hall of Fame which is in a display at the museum. Thelma Vandermallie, Pat Steigerwald, Lois Bircher long time museum volunteers were also recognized.

"Webster a town Where Life is Worth Living " a slogan proven by many of these women who gave many volunteer hours to community organizations. Webster’s leading ladies started running for office and filling positions mostly held by the men of Webster early in the 60s. Alice Quinn first woman on the School Board, Nancy Perryman first woman School Board President, Joyce Rice, first woman as School Board clerk; Nancy Thomas first Town board member, Catherine Thomas first woman Town Supervisor; Nancy Theis first Village Board Trustee.

These women and all women today have it easier because of the National American Woman’s Suffrage Association started in 1890 by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Susan B. Anthony* who led the fight for Women’s right to vote, knew that the struggle that took her a life time would one day be taken for granted. It has been documented that she gave 75-100 speeches a year for 45 years, traveling throughout the United States by stage coach, wagon, carriage and train. It is said to be the only non-violent revolution in our country’s history-the 72 year struggle to win women the right to vote. She was the first person arrested , put on trial and fined for voting on November 5, 1872 . Unable to speak in her defense she refused to pay "a dollar of your unjust penalty." Susan B. Anthony Amendment in 1878 which later became the 19th Amendment was passed in Congress in 1920 to give the women the right to vote. ( 14 years after her death) Before her death her last public words about this Amendment "Failure is Impossible".

*(women in history, Susan B. Anthony biography, last updated 2/13/2009 Lakewood Public Library.) www.lkwdpl.org

Many other outstanding women of this era are represented in our exhibit Clara Barton who started the American Red Cross, Elizabeth Brownell, first woman Doctor educated in Geneva, Frances Willard born in Churchville, NY and headed the Women’s Temperance Union.
A walk thru the lives of these women does make you cheer "You've Come a Long Way Baby".