Program

National Votes for Women Trail

Subject

People

Location

150 200 West, Malad City, ID 83252, USA

Lat/Long

42.1893076, -112.2502308

Grant Recipient

National Collaborative for Women's History Sites

Idaho territorial legislator, Dr. Joseph W. Morgan (1838-1896) of Malad City, Idaho introduced an equal suffrage bill to the territorial legislature in 1871, which would give women the right to vote in Idaho if passed. On January 12, 1871, the Idaho World newspaper referred to Joseph as the “champion” of the equal suffrage bill, noting that he “made an able argument and presented, in a forceable manner, the reasons which prompted him to insist upon the right of suffrage being bestowed upon the women.” Despite Joseph’s efforts, the bill did not pass.

Joseph’s daughter, Henrietta “Hattie” E. Morgan (1868-1957) served as vice president of the Malad women’s suffrage club in 1896. The previous year, the Idaho State Legislature had passed a proposed women’s suffrage amendment to the state constitution, placing the amendment before the voters of Idaho on the statewide ballot in 1896. As a leader in the Malad suffrage club, Hattie worked to educate voters on the amendment. Her efforts proved successful when voters approved the amendment, securing women’s right to vote in the state.