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Maine Women's Hall of Fame

Eleanor Roosevelt and Margaret Chase Smith
Established	1990
Location	Bernard D. Katz Library University of Maine 46 University Drive Augusta, Maine 04330
Coordinates	44°20′34″N 69°47′44″W / 44.342902°N 69.795604°W / 44.342902; -69.795604
Website

The Maine Women's Hall of Fame was created in 1990 to honor the achievements of women associated with the U.S. state of Maine. The induction ceremonies are held each year during March, designated as Women's History Month. Nominees are chosen by the public via an online nomination form. The University of Maine at Augusta displays the hall of fame in its Bennett D. Katz Library, and also hosts the hall of fame online at the university's website. The nomination form lists three criteria for eligibility:

1) Woman's achievements must have had a significant statewide impact

2) Woman's achievements significantly improved the lives of women in Maine

3) Woman's contribution has enduring value for women.

Nominations have a December deadline of any given year.

The first two inductees in 1990 were Mabel Sine Wadsworth and Margaret Chase Smith. Wadsworth had devoted her life to multiple issues, including maternal health and family planning, founding the Wadsworth Women's Health Center. She was a member of the board of Board of Directors of Legal Services for the Elderly, and helped raise funds for noteworthy organizations.

Margaret Chase Smith was the first woman elected to serve in the United States Senate. She ran for President of the United States in the 1964 Republican Party primarily, but lost out to Barry Goldwater. She was also the first Republican to speak out against the tactics of fellow Senator Joseph McCarthy, in her June 1, 1950 address on the floor of the Senate.

Two decades after its inception, the list of Inductees contains an Olympic gold medalist, Joan Benoit, two more United States Senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, and the mother of a Senator, Patricia M. Collins who herself had been mayor of a Maine city. Geneticist Elizabeth S. Russell joined the list, as did the President University of Maine at Presque Isle Nancy H. Hensel. Author and Holocaust survivor Judith Magyar Isaacson has been honored by an induction into the hall of fame. With the 2011 inductees, the hall of fame had honored 35 women for their contributions to Maine and to the female population.

Inductees

Maine Women's Hall of Fame

Name	Image	Birth–Death	Year	Area of achievement	Ref(s)
Sandra L. Caron			2023	Professor and author
Julia G. Kahrl		(1934–)	2022	Women's reproductive rights advocate
Jessica Meir		(1977–)	2022	Astronaut, biologist
Joyce Taylor Gibson			2021	Associate Professor of Leadership Studies at the University of Southern Maine
Leigh Saufley		(1954–)	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		(1947–)	2019	75th Governor of Maine
Julia Clukey		(1985–)	2018	Olympic luger
Cornelia Thurza "Fly Rod" Crosby		(1854–1946)	2018	Maine’s First Licensed Guide
Ann Schonberger		(1940–2022)	2017	University of Maine Mathematics. One of the founders of the Women’s Studies Program at the University of Maine Orono
Clara Swan		(1912–2017)	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	Advocate for victims and survivors of sexual assault
Ellen F. Golden		(1946–)	2015	Senior Vice President at CEI (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.)
Barbara W. Woodlee		(1946–)	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		(1949–)	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		(1949–2023)	2009	Director University of Maine Women's Resource Center
Karen Heck		(1952–)	2008	Advocate for women's issues
Florence Brooks Whitehouse		(1869–1945)	2008	Women's suffrage
Laura Fortman		(1954–)	2007	Deputy Administrator, Wage and Hour Division U. S. Dept. of Labor; former Executive Director of the Frances Perkins Center
Dale McCormick		(1947–)	2007	Former Maine State Treasurer, served in Maine State Senate
Chilton R. Knudsen		(1946–)	2006	Bishop of Maine, Episcopal Church
Patricia M. Collins		(1927–2024)	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		(1949–)	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		(1943–)	2003	President University of Maine at Presque Isle
Theodora J. Kalikow		(1941–)	2002	President, University of Maine at Farmington
Linda Smith Dyer		(1948–2001)	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		(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		(1914–2005)	1996	Environmentalist, woman's issues advocate
Marti Stevens		(c. 1939–1993)	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		(1947–)	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	Birth control activist

Further reading

• Isaacson, Judith Magyar (1990). Seeds of Sarah, Memoirs of a Survivor (2nd ed.). University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-01651-6.

Citations

1. "Maine Women's Hall of Fame". Maine University at Augusta. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
2. "2023 Maine Women's Hall of Fame Inductee Announced". University of Maine at Augusta. February 24, 2023.
3. Hunt, Avery (29 June 2022). "Judy Kahrl - Maine Women Magazine". Retrieved 13 September 2022.
4. Mars, Kelli (1 February 2016). "Jessica U. Meir (PH.D.) NASA Astronaut". NASA. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
5. ^ "Joyce Taylor Gibson and Leigh Saufley to be inducted to Maine Women's Hall of Fame | Office of Public Affairs | University of Southern Maine". University of Southern Maine. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
6. ^ "Inductee Profiles 2020". Futurama Foundation. BPW/Maine Futurama Foundation. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
7. ^ "Women's Hall of Fame". University of Maine at Presque Isle. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
8. "Julia Clukey". Team USA. Archived from the original on February 25, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
9. "History of the Maine Guide: Cornilia Fly Rod Crosby". Maine Guides Online. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
10. ^ "Maine Women's Hall of Fame celebration". Lewiston Sun Journal. March 8, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
11. "2016 recipients". bpwmefoundation.org. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
12. "2016 recipients". bpwmefoundation.org. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
13. "CEI's Ellen Golden Inducted into the Maine Women's Hall of Fame". Coastal Enterprises, Inc. March 19, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
14. Levasseur, Rick (May 24, 2012). "Kennebec Valley Community College President to Retire after 30 Years". McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. Bangor Daily News.
15. Swinconeck, John (March 3, 2014). "Patricia Ryan being inducted into Women's Hall of Fame". The Times Record. Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
16. Wolcott, Jennifer. "Competition: The Fear That Makes Girls Feud?". The Christian Science Publishing Society. The Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on 2018-03-29.
17. "Staff & Faculty Directory – Mary R. Cathcart". Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center. The University of Maine. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
18. "Susan Collis". Biographical Directory. United States Congress. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
19. McCrea, Nick (June 22, 2015). "Nutritionist, Maine Women's Hall of Fame Member Katherine Musgrave Dies". McClatchy-Tribune Information Service. Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on February 6, 2016.; "Katherine Ogilvie Musgrave". McClatchy-Tribune Information Service. Bangor Daily News. June 23, 2015. Archived from the original on February 6, 2016.
20. "Thelma C. Swain obituary". Bangor Daily News. September 25, 2008. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
21. Harrison, Judy (March 31, 2012). "Portrait of Women Symbolizes 20 Years of Work by Women's Resource Center". McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. Bangor Daily News.
22. "Florence Brooks Whitehouse: Helped clear the way for equality for women". March 15, 2008. Bangor Daily News. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
23. "Laura A. Fortman". United States Department of Labor. Archived from the original on October 31, 2015. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
24. jk, none (March 1980). "Reviewed Work: Against the Grain. A Carpentry Manual for Women by Dale McCormick". Off Our Backs. 10 (3). off our backs, inc.: 25. JSTOR 25793340.
25. Ritter, Rick (May 12, 2015). "Episcopal Diocese Announces New Bishop After Cook Ousted". CBS Local Media. CBS Baltimore. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
26. "Women to be honored at Augusta ceremony". Bangor Daily News. 17 February 2005. Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
27. "Staff – Administration". Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
28. "Honorees: Dr. Nancy Hensel". University of Maine at Augusta. 2016. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
29. "Honorees". Maine Women's Hall of Fame. 2016. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
30. "The Linda Smith Dyer Fellowship". Maine Women's Policy Center. Archived from the original on January 21, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
31. "Chellie Pingree". Biographical Directory. United States Congress. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
32. "Caroline D. Gentile obituary". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
33. Woolum (1998), pp. 213–214
34. Boulard, Garry (July–August 2009). "Maine's Main Women: The Success of the State's Two Top Leaders May Have More to Do with Voters' Independent Streak Than It Does with Gender Politics". State Legislatures. 35 (7). National Conference of State Legislatures.
35. "Olympia Jean Snowe". Biographical Directory. United States Congress. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
36. "Lois Galgay Reckitt". United Way of Greater Portland. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
37. "In Memoriam". Washburn Norlands Living History Center. Washburn Norlands Living History Center. Archived from the original on December 18, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
38. Oliver, Sandra (March 20, 2011). "'Brownie' biographer reflects on big subject". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
39. Berkowitz (1998), pp. 13–23
40. Brogan, Beth (August 27, 2013). "Democrat Eloise Vitelli Bests Republican Paula Benoit to Claim Bath- Area Senate 19 Seat". McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. Bangor Daily News.
41. "Ester Wood books". WorldCat. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
42. Tuttle, Jennifer S (Spring 2010). "The Maine Women Writers Collection at the University of New England". Feminist Collections: A Quarterly of Women's Studies Resources. 31 (1–2). Board of Regents, University of Wisconsin System: 21. Archived from the original on 2016-02-06.; "Dorothy M. Healy Professorship". University of New England. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
43. "Ninetta M. Runnals". A People's History of Colby College. Colby College. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
44. Wayne (2010), pp. 827–828
45. Sigerman (2003), pp. 122–125; Ferraro (2006), pp. 20–49; "Margaret Chase Smith: A Declaration of Conscience". Classic Senate Speeches. United States Senate. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
46. "Mabel (Sine) Wadsworth". Bangor Daily News. September 25, 2008. Retrieved January 10, 2016.

References

• Berkowitz, Bill (1998). Local Heroes The Rebirth of Heroism in America. Lexington, MA: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-0-669-15830-4.
• Ferraro, Geraldine; Gutgold, Nichola D (2006). Paving the Way for Madam President. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-7391-1594-7.
• Wayne, PhD, Tiffany K (2010). American Women of Science since 1900. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. pp. 827, 828. ISBN 978-1-59884-158-9.
• Sigerman, Harriet (2003). The Columbia Documentary History of American Women, 1941–2000. New York, NY: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-11698-5.
• Woolum, Janet (1998). Outstanding Women Athletes: Who They Are and How They Influenced Sports in America (2nd ed.). Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press. ISBN 1-57356-120-7.

Further reading

• Isaacson, Judith Magyar (1991). Seed of Sarah: Memoirs of a Survivor (2nd ed.). Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-06219-3.
• Tolstrup, Karen Dodge (2008). "If Maine Had a Queen" the Life of Brownie Schrumpf (Northeast Folklore, Volume XLI). Orono, ME: Maine Folklife Center. ISBN 978-0-943197-34-0.

External links

• Maine Women's Hall of Fame home page
• Marti Stevens Interactive Improvisational Theater

• Women's halls of fame
• Lists of American women
• State halls of fame in the United States
• Women's museums in the United States
• Women in Maine
• Halls of fame in Maine
• History of women in Maine
• Maine history-related lists