Miriam Amanda Ferguson: her life, her loves, her legacy from anti-suffragist to political leader

Abstract

This thesis is an analysis of Miriam Amanda Ferguson, the first woman governor of Texas, in regard to her leadership role, her significance in Texas history, and her impact on society and the women's movement. It focuses primarily on Miriam Amanda with some attention given to Governor Jim Ferguson's influence and how he utilized her in 1924 to remedy his own political troubles. It will consider his fight against woman suffrage, then his utilization of its passage to remedy his own political troubles, and, finally, his didactic influence on Miriam, which aided her in emerging as a political entity of her own. This decision changed her, her life, and society's view of women in powerful positions. Many questions remain regarding Miriam Ferguson that beg to be answered. What elements prepared her for the historic role she would play in Texas history? What type of relationship did Miriam really have with her husband? Was she at odds with him on any issues and, if so, which governor took control? Did she make the transition from a quiet anti-suffrage homemaker to a leader who influenced women's rights? Why should the life and times of Miriam Amanda Ferguson be remembered and commemorated? What is Miriam Ferguson' s legacy? Utilizing many different public sources, government files, personal interviews, and previously private collections, this thesis will strive to answer these questions so that the story of our first woman governor may be a little more complete. The intention of this thesis is to chronicle and evaluate the Governors' stand on suffrage, their use of this political issue, and how it managed to elect or defeat them. It will assess the reaction of the populace (pro and anti-feminists), and Miriam's adaptation to political life. It will illustrate that she emerged as a powerful, political woman, championing just causes and generating a positive impact on women's history as one who generously and proudly encouraged the women of the day to actively participate in the poetical process, retain a sense of themselves, and step out of their sphere to blossom as persons in their own right.