Salina Post proudly presents Flashback Friday in partnership with the Smoky Hill Museum. Enjoy a weekly tidbit of local history from the staff at Salina Post and the Smoky Hill Museum as we present "Salina-Flashback Fridays."
By SALINA POST
"My father frequently discussed women's suffrage with me when I was young. He used to remark that women might take care of the finer points of legislation if given the opportunity," said Cora Walker Shelton, Saline County's first woman elected to the State Legislature, in the Dec. 14, 1940 edition of the Abilene Daily Reflector.
Kansas saw women elected at the local level as early as the 1870s. In 1887, Argonia, Kansas, made national headlines with the election of Susanna Salter as the first female mayor in Kansas.
By 1921, Kansas voters elected four women to hold public offices, but that still came with some stigma toward the "Legisladies," a belittling term that stuck for several years.
The Kansas House and Senate operated with a womanless legislature for many years.
Dedication to community
Widely admired as a trusted and friendly face, Shelton's catchphrase, "What can I do for you?" endeared her to many. Shelton bore a genuine concern for the citizens of Salina.
Shelton earned her Teacher's Certificate in Dickinson County and had careers in education, restaurant ownership and then as a Kansas House Representative.
In 1928, the Businessmen of Salina threw their support behind Shelton's run for the Kansas State House of Representatives.
While unsuccessful in 1928, Shelton launched an extensive grassroots campaign in 1940. Her platform focused on education and teacher retirement benefits.
It emphasized her identity as a conscientious and modern businesswoman. Shelton won by a margin of 476 votes in the 1940 election. She was the first Salina woman to serve in the Kansas legislature.
READ MORE: 📸 Flashback Friday: Salina Post - Bessie Ellis Caldwell - Vol. 38
Find out more about Shelton's story and the legacies of other remarkable Salina women at the Smoky Hill Museum's newest exhibit titled, "Step up to the Task" running from April 12 - Oct. 5
All exhibits at the Smoky Hill Museum are free to the public.