Black Women and the Wyoming Women’s Suffrage Act (1869- )

Fifty years before the 19th Amendment was passed, Wyoming legislators enacted the Wyoming Women’s Suffrage Act in 1869. The bill granted women in the Wyoming Territory the right to vote, free from restrictions such as property ownership, monetary requirements, or marital status requirements. This meant … Read MoreBlack Women and the Wyoming Women’s Suffrage Act (1869- )

Dana, Wyoming, A Black Town in the Coal Mining West

In the following article Wyoming historian Brigida R. Blasi explores the history of now nearly forgotten Dana, a small predominately black coal mining town about 150 miles west of Cheyenne. Here is her account. The town of Dana has largely been forgotten in the history … Read MoreDana, Wyoming, A Black Town in the Coal Mining West

Jerome A. Holmes (1961- )

Jerome A. Holmes, is the first African American to serve as an United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Holmes was born in Washington D.C. on November 18, 1961. His parents were Ryland and Hattie Holmes. Holmes graduated from Wake Forest University in 1983 … Read MoreJerome A. Holmes (1961- )

Empire, Wyoming (1908-1930)

Empire, Wyoming was an African American community founded in 1908 by Charles and Rosetta Speese along with three of Charles’ brothers—John, Joseph and Radford—and their families. John’s brother-in-law, Baseman Taylor, and relative, Otis Taylor, also joined the settlement. The families migrated from Nebraska. With the … Read MoreEmpire, Wyoming (1908-1930)