Ruth B. Hipple (1873-1962) was an American suffragist.

Early life

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Ruth Hipple was born Ruth Bowman in May 1873.[1] In 1878 Hipple's family moved from Black River Falls, Wisconsin to the Dakota Territory.[1] The family settled near Ashton two years later.[2]

Career

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Hipple learned shorthand and worked as a stenographer at the South Dakota state capital.[1] She married state auditor John Elmer Hipple in 1896.[1]

Hipple was an active proponent of women's suffrage.[2]  In support of the suffrage movement, Hipple worked as an auditor and press secretary.[2] She was a member of the South Dakota Universal Franchise League's Legislative Committee in 1912.[1][3]: 588  Starting in 1913, Hipple was an editor for the South Dakota Messenger, a publication for suffragists.[2][3]: 585  Hipple and her husband frequently opened their home to suffragists traveling to Pierre.[2][4]

For six months after the United States entered World War I, Hipple worked for the Red Cross and served on the executive committee for Pierre's Red Cross.[1] Hipple's residence in Pierre and her political connections allowed her to provide information to suffragists in South Dakota. Hipple received advance notice from Governor Peter Norbeck that he was considering adding a special session for the legislature.[1] Hipple passed that information along to South Dakota Franchise League's president Mamie Shields Pyle.[1]

Hipple started the local chapter of the Girl Scouts in Pierre.[2]

Death and legacy

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Hipple died on May 25, 1962.[1] Hipple's home has become a landmark operated by the National Park Service.[2][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ruth Bowman Hipple". History in South Dakota. November 14, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "John E. and Ruth Hipple House--Pierre, South Dakota: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary". www.nps.gov. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Harper, Ida Husted (1920). The History of Woman Suffrage. National American Woman Suffrage Association.
  4. ^ a b Bloom, Laura Begley (March 19, 2018). "A State-By-State Guide To The Top Women's History Landmarks In America". Forbes. Retrieved April 19, 2019.