Life



Marianne Moore, born near St. Louis, was a celebrated poet.


Luella Moss, of Columbia, was the first woman in the United States to hold the position of president of Christian College.

Carry Nation, of the Kansas City area, was a well-known supporter of Prohibition.

Kate Richards O’Hare served 4 years in the Missouri State Penitentiary for violating the Espionage Act.


Rose O’Neill, was a well-known illustrator and creator of the Kewpies, Columbia Hickman High School’s  mascot.

Marie Watkins Oliver, born in Ray County, was the designer of the Missouri state flag.


Mayme Ousley, born in Edgar Springs, was the first woman mayor (of St. James) in Missouri.

Geraldine Page, born in Kirksville, was a famous actress.

Grace Ashley Papin, born in St. Louis, created the Grace Ashley shirt-stud dress.

Nelle E. Peters was an architect in Kansas City, and she designed the Ambassador Hotel.

Mary Phelps, of the Springfield area, was known for saving the body of Gen. Nathaniel Lyon and donating her reward to an orphanage.



Vinnie Ream, who attended Christian College (now Columbia College) was the first woman to receive a federal art commission for Lincoln’s bust.

Katherine Berry Richardson was a doctor and surgeon who established the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.


Irma Rombauer of St. Louis published the Joy of Cooking, an internationally known cookbook, in 1931.



Nellie Taylor Ross, born near St. Joseph, was the first woman in the United States to serve as a state governor in Wyoming.

Charlotte Rumbold worked in St. Louis for the Open Air Playground Committee, and she was active in the urban planning of St. Louis.

Harriet Robinson Scott, wife of Dred Scott, is credited with being the driving force behind her family’s lawsuit for freedom that made its way to several courts in Missouri.

Elizabeth Seifert of Moberly was an author of many books.

Fannie Mooney Sellins was a union organizer for the St. Louis garment industry.

Mary Easton Sibley began a girl’s school in St. Charles, which ultimately became Lindenwood University, the first women’s college west of Mississippi. 


Mellcene Smith was one of the first two women in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Paula V. Smith was the first woman and African American to serve in the cabinet of then Governor Christopher Bond.


Clara Stover moved the headquarters of Russell Stover’s Candies to Kansas City in 1932.

Sara Teasdale was a renowned poet from St. Louis.

Helen Francesca Traubel, born in St. Louis, was one of the world’s great sopranos.



Bess Truman of Independence was the wife of President Truman.



Sarah Turner of Kansas City was one of first two women in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Marie Carpentier Vallé of Ste. Genevieve gave medical advice to the people of the settlement.



Anna Maria Von Phul of St. Louis was an early artist whose sketchbooks recorded the early days of St. Louise Creoles.



Madam C. J. Walker of St. Louis made a hair-care product for black women.

Cathay Williams was the only known female Buffalo soldier in the Civil War.

Harriet Woods was the first, and so far only, female Lieutenant Governor in Missouri.