Among great local women,
who should be honored?

Dr. Annie Dodge Wauneka

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff writer

GALLUP — So who have been the most important, influential, or noteworthy women connected to the history of McKinley and Cibola counties? Or the Acoma and Zuni pueblos?

While answers are probably multiple and debatable, state officials have been looking for just one answer for each community. And those answers will eventually be engraved in wood and installed somewhere on the side of a roadway as a historical marker.
It’s all part of the Historic Women Marker Initiative, an effort by the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division to provide a little equal recognition for women who have made contributions to the state’s history. According to Tom Drake of the preservation office, when the first women’s marker was unveiled in December 2007 — honoring Mother Magdalen and the Sisters of Loretto of Santa Fe — none of the 500-plus previous state markers had a female central subject.

The initiative seeks to establish 54 women’s markers in the state: one for each county and one for every New Mexico Indian pueblo and tribe. Thus far, 34 markers have been approved for future installation, including a Navajo Nation marker that will be installed in McKinley County. Both McKinley and Cibola counties, however, have yet to have a woman — or group of women — nominated and approved for its own marker. Neither have the Acoma or Zuni pueblos.
Karren Sahler, the executive director for the committee coordinating the initiative, said there has been a lot of participation by New Mexico counties and Indian communities, but not full participation.

The Navajo Nation’s marker, which was just recently approved, will honor Dr. Annie Dodge Wauneka (1910-1997), a U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. She is remembered as a tireless health care activist who led the fight against tuberculosis on the reservation and worked to improve health and educational opportunities for Navajo people. In addition to the many national awards she received, Wauneka was named “Legendary Mother of the Navajo Nation” by the Tribal Council in 1984.

Other Native American honorees recently approved include Evelyn M. Vigil and Juanita T. Toledo of Jemez Pueblo, who recreated glazeware in the ancient Pecos Pueblo style, and members of the St. Francis Women’s Club at Nambe Pueblo who raised money to rebuild their pueblo’s historic church. Earlier this year, state and Laguna officials approved a marker to honor Susie Rayos Marmon, a Laguna woman who was educated back East and returned to her pueblo as a beloved and respected teacher.

According to Sahler, a marker honoring one Acoma woman had been approved by pueblo leaders, but they are now considering recognizing a group of women instead. Zuni officials have indicated an interest in honoring the Zuni Olla Maidens, she said.

McKinley and Cibola are two of the few remaining counties that don’t have a subject for their designated marker.

Examples of county markers include San Juan, which will recognize Harriett Belle Sammons, longtime president of First National Bank of Farmington, and Mora County, which is recognizing curanderas, Hispanic women who practice traditional healing methods through the use of medicinal herbs and folk remedies.

Anyone can submit a nomination for the remaining women’s markers. However, cautioned Sahler, making a nomination doesn’t mean that it will be accepted or approved.

Information: Karren Sahler at (505) 501-1385 or k.sahler@comcast.net or www.nmhistoricpreservation.org