Important Women in Alaska History

Alaskan Women Making a Difference

Apr 19, 2009 Julia Shea

The climate in Alaska can be a little inhospitable for both men and women. But women have thrived here, putting a softer glow on the days of the gold rush.

Alaska.com acknowledges their fame for constant daylight in the summer and darkness all winter. While this is a little exaggerated, some cities in the state do experience this phenomenon.

Warm weather might hit the 90s and when it gets cold, temperatures can reach -50. The rainy season arrives in late summer and goes into fall. Winters can bring heavy snowfalls along with the bitter cold. What brought people here? For some, the answer was gold.

In Alaska, women have always been the minority in the population (even today, the population consists of more men than women). The gold rush was big business, and many women stayed behind while their husbands and sons went off to find their fortunes in the Alaskan wilderness. Some women followed their men, while others with a taste for adventure went to make their own fortune. In an often inhospitable environment (especially for women of the day) their accomplishments were all the more impressive.

Ruth Jefford (1914-2007)

Ruth was born in Iowa but moved to Alaska with her first husband, Jim Hurst. Ruth began flying at 17 and continued her love of flight in Alaska by becoming the first woman licensed to teach flying. She and Jim opened International Air Taxi Service. She spent over 20 years flying supplies and delivering mail, as well as charter and personal flights around the state and beyond. Ruth was also an accomplished violinist and helped found the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra.

Frances Howard

The first female unrestricted services state trooper in the United States from the recruit class of 1970.

Barbara Washburn (born 1915)

The first woman to climb Mt. McKinley. She decided it was more fun to go with her mountaineering and mapping husband than to sit at home.

Dana Fabe (born 1951)

The first female justice and Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court, serving in the courts since 1996.

Susan Butcher (1954-2006)

Iditarod champion musher - not once, but a four time champion. For those who are not familiar, the Iditarod is a 1,112 to 1,131-mile race through often times, arctic blizzard conditions through the Alaskan wilderness. It's an endurance race for both dogs and musher lasting 1-2 weeks. Her first win was 1986.

Ellen “Nell” Cashman (1845-1925)

Gold rush prospector/restaurant owner/philanthropist. Nell followed the adventure, making money by mining, establishing businesses, and buying/selling mines as she went. She often used some of the money to build schools, churches and hospitals.

Amanda McFarland (1832-1912)

Missionary who opened a school for native Alaskans during the gold rush years. Amanda found herself the only white woman in a town with no laws, where slavery and witchcraft were the order of the day.

For More Information

These are just a few of many interesting women who helped transform Alaska and the United States in their lifetimes. The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) recently inducted their inaugural class into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame. Visit UAA for more information on these and other women working hard to make a difference.

Learn about other women's history in the United States: Alabama

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