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Archives On The Air 181: Wyoming's First Woman Secretary Of State—Thyra Thomson Papers

The Wyoming State Senate had a heated debate over the Equal Rights Amendment in 1973.

Wyoming's Secretary of State Thyra Thomson argued that despite being the Equality State, gender bias still existed.

Thomson's passion and persistence impelled the Wyoming Senate to ratify the amendment by a vote of seventeen to twelve.

The Equal Rights Amendment was debated across the nation. Thomson continued her advocacy, this time on the national stage.

The amendment failed to be adopted into the U.S. Constitution. But Thomson's work contributed to her standing as a respected state and national figure.

Learn more in Thyra Thomson's papers at UW's American Heritage Center.