Part of the American History & Genealogy Project

Helen M. Gougar 1843 ~ 1907

A naturally gifted woman and supported by an unflinching enthusiasm for the right, about the richest possession any cause can have! Such has been the record of Mrs. Helen M. Gougar, author and woman suffragist, born in Litchfield, Mich., July 18, 1843.

At forty years of age her head was prematurely whitened by a bitter and hard-fought attempt to weaken her power in political circles by defamation, but the battle over and her enemies completely vanquished, she went on to contest heroically, fighting for what she believes to be the right and patriotic cause to a higher civilization. In this battle she decided forever the right of women to take an active part in political warfare without being compelled to endure ridicule or defamation.

Her special work in reforms lies in legal and political lines and constitutional law, and statistics she quotes with marvelous familiarity when speaking in public Mrs. Gougar is the author of the law granting municipal suffrage to women in Kansas, and the adoption of the measure was wholly due to her efforts. She proved the correctness of her theory by redeeming Leavenworth, the largest city in the state at that time, from slum rule by the votes of women. The success which has attended this law in the interest of political honor and exaltation of public service is well known. As a writer she has a concise, direct and fluent style.

For many years she was a contributor to the Chicago Inter-Ocean, and no better evidence of her ability and enthusiasm could be found than the high esteem in which she was held by the management of that old Republican organ.

Women of America

Source: The Part Taken by Women in American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.