Baxter, a political trailblazer, was the first woman elected to public office in Missouri and first female county clerk in U.S.
From left to right: Jasper County Clerk Charlie Davis, Missouri Speaker of the House Elijah Haahr, Women’s Foundation President & CEO Wendy Doyle
On Wednesday, August 26th, Women’s Equality Day, the Missouri House of Representatives will induct Anna “Annie” White Baxter into the Hall of Famous Missourians. Baxter was the first woman elected to public office in Missouri in 1890 and the first female county clerk in the United States.
“Annie White Baxter is remembered as a political trailblazer not only for Missouri, but for U.S. history,” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO. “This month marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, a monumental time in history and of great significance for Annie White Baxter since she oversaw elections when she didn’t have the right to vote. I’m thrilled she is getting the recognition she rightfully deserves.”
The induction ceremony will take place in the House Chamber at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony will also be streamed live at house.mo.gov.
“Annie White Baxter, a native of Carthage, Missouri, solidified herself in history as the first woman elected to public office in Missouri and the first female county clerk in the U.S.,” said Speaker of the House, Elijah Haahr. “Today, we honor her contributions to policy and the impact she had on Missouri’s rich history by commemorating her in our state capitol.”
In addition to her service as a county clerk, Baxter also served as state registrar of lands from 1908–1916 and as financial secretary of the Missouri Constitutional Convention in 1922. She will be the ninth woman honored in the Hall of Famous Missourians.
Sculptor Spencer Schubert created the bust of Baxter. Women’s Foundation and its supporters, particularly generous Missourians from Annie’s home county, funded the project as part of the Legacy of Women initiative to recognize women’s historical contributions in state parks, historic sites, and other public spaces.
Women’s Foundation has previously worked with Missouri Department of Natural Resources to rename the Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site as well as the Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park.