Ozark Folkways will celebrate the historical election of all women to the city of Winslow’s governance in 1925 and the crafts of Ozark women throughout their regional history on March 15, from noon to 4 pm.

“There will be presentations about famous Ozark women and their essential work,” said Chava Schacter, one of the event organizers. “And families can partake in many activities for all ages—storytelling, jewelry making, fabric arts, music, and singalongs.

Throughout the day, Ozark Folkways will host:

  • 11 am – Love and Kindness Qigong Workshop (sign up online)

  • 12 pm – Winter Squash Soup Workshop (sign up online)

    • Children’s Storytelling and Activities with Chandra Hinton and Chava Schacter

  • 1 pm – Petticoat government presentation by Rachel Whitaker of the Shiloh Museum

    • Ozark Women in Poultry Industry presentation by Olivia Paschal

    • Acapella Song and Song Circle with Piper Hart, Jen Hajj, and others

The inspiration for the event comes from the centennial of the Winslow “petticoat government.” The expression refers to when, in 1925, Winslow’s mayor and city council were all women. Additionally, March is Women’s History Month.

In Arkansas, women won the right to vote in primary elections in 1917. Two years later, the federal government created the constitutional amendment. Arkansas was the twelfth state to ratify the amendment.

Winslow’s first female mayor, Virginia Maude Dunlap Duncan, was the state’s second female registered pharmacist and an owner of a weekly paper renamed Winslow American. Eight other business women joined Duncan in government and in a famous photo. They were Lyda Cole, Florence Marley, Audie Crider, Bee Chervery, Daisy Miller, Etta Black, Martin Winn, and Winslow’s postmistress, Stella Winn.

Some reports say Winslow’s men created the petticoat government. They challenged the women to address their main issues through action. After winning, the women employed persuasion instead of changing laws. They got store owners to reduce the prices of building materials and encouraged residents to upgrade their homes and gardens to improve the appearance of the small town.

The council also fundraised for a new road with a milder grade going up a mountain. Those who didn’t contribute financially helped through labor. Duncan even removed the local jail and had petty lawbreakers pay higher fines for construction instead.

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