Women and the MT Constitution – further continued

The distribution of women delegates is notable.  As mentioned earlier, four of Great Falls 11 delegates were women, and four of Missoula’s eight were women. One of Helena’s six was a woman, and two of Bozeman’s six were women.  Billings had the largest delegation from an urban area, 12, only one of whom was a woman. Jean Bowman, a 34 year old mother of four and a LWV and AAUW member, was also involved in the local community on numerous local boards and advisory committees. Jean served as Convention Secretary and was an influential member of the Convention given her knowledge of government and her speaking skills. Like fellow delegate, Mae Nan Robinson Ellingson, having witnessed the influence of the 20 lawyers in the Convention (all male), became a lawyer. 

Louise Cross distinguished herself at the Convention as the indefatigable advocate for the “right to a clean and healthful environment.” She was a school teacher from Glendive, who became, in her words, “an activist” after her research for AAUW highlighting the destruction and damage to the earth caused by strip mining in eastern Montana. This interest led her to run for the Convention and ultimately chair the Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee. Faced with a committee that did not share her vision and passion for reclamation and environmental protection, she had an uphill battle. Outside the Committee she was able to commandeer the support of fellow delegates, and in one of the hardest fought battles on the Convention floor, was ultimately victorious in her hard fought battle to have Article IX “provide that the State and each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations and that all lands disturbed by the taking of natural resources shall be reclaimed.” This is a testament to the tenacity of Louise Cross. 

And finally recognition of the legacy of Dorothy Eck, delegate from Bozeman, another LWV member who served as Western District Vice President of the Convention. Dorothy was a key member of the Bill of Rights Committee and became one of the most influential delegates on the floor, especially in her advocacy for Indian Education for All, open meetings, the right of privacy, including equal rights for women. After passage of the Constitution, she was appointed by Governor Tom Judge to recommend legislation to implement the new Constitution. She was elected to the State Senate in 1980 and reelected until term limits ended her legislative career.  

The women were invaluable!

The information for the three recent articles about Women and the MT Constitution was shared by Mae Nan Ellingson, youngest at age 24 of all the 100 Constitution delegates. She was active in the original writing in 1972 and has remained active ever since, especially now when groups, including Great Fall Rising, are gathering to inform people of the importance of keeping the MT constitution as current and meaningful to ALL Montanans as it is. Thank you, Mae Nan.