Mission
The Louisa Swain Foundation Is Dedicated To:
A) Preserving and celebrating the heritage and history of the world’s first democratically cast ballot by a woman, Louisa Swain, on September 6, 1870 in Laramie, Wyoming; and
B) Fostering education in the areas of justice, democracy, freedom, human rights and suffrage; and
C) Recognizing those who, though their actions and accomplishments, display the qualities of community, courage and strength of character exhibited by Louisa Swain as she cast her historic ballot.
About The Louisa Swain Foundation
The Louisa Swain Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization supported by tax deductible contributions of donors who recognize the need to promote and preserve the concepts of democracy, human rights, suffrage, justice, community, courage and strength of character.
The Foundation is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the heritage and history of the world's first democratically cast electoral ballot by a woman, Louisa Swain, on September 6, 1870. The Foundation is also dedicated to fostering education in the areas of democracy, human rights and suffrage. The Foundation will recognize those who, through their actions or accomplishments, display the qualities of community, courage and strength of character as exhibited by Louisa Swain when she cast her historic ballot.
These concepts and qualities are exemplified in the history of Louisa Swain and three other Wyoming women who made world history in 1870. It was in that year in Wyoming when, in addition to Louisa Swain's historic vote, the first woman served on a jury (Eliza Stewart), the first woman served as a bailiff (Martha Symons Boies) and the first woman served in a judicial position (Esther Hobart Morris).
To memorialize the significance of these world firsts, The Louisa Swain Foundation constructed The Wyoming House for Historic Women. This memorial displays the history of these women with galleries for the recognition of others who have been honored for historically significant achievements.
The Louisa Swain Foundation was established in 2001 (as the Laramie Foundation) and is governed by a Board of Directors composed of members from throughout the nation.
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Contributions are greatly appreciated and fully tax deductible.
They may be sent and made payable to:
The Louisa Swain Foundation
Post Office Box 1960
Laramie, Wyoming 82073.
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Board of Directors
shea loper, Chair, Colorado
G.F. Williamson, Wyoming
Bobbi Barrasso, Wyoming
jennifer thompson, wyoming
todd walker, virginia
nick magallnes, virginia
Christopher Spear, Virginia
Allison Nyholm, Virginia
helen rhee, district of columbia
DEBRA MARSHALL, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
brandon kirkham, district of columbia
dyice ellis-beckham, new jersey
AMANDA MERTENS CAMPBELL, CO
Wyoming Honorary Committee
Mark Gordon, Governor of Wyoming
John barrasso, U.S. Senator
CYNTHIA LUMMIS, U.S. SENATOR
Liz Cheney, U.S. Representative
Dave freudenthal, Former governor
Mike sullivan, Former governor
Jim geringer, former governor
matt mead, former governor
