Building Community: The Petticoat Council

There has been a great deal said about the so-called petticoat government and many wild speculations made as to how we would manage the city affairs, being mere women. However, we will manage the affairs of this municipality and do it in a creditable manner without a shadow of a doubt. And if I did not believe that any woman on this council was not as competent and capable as any man who ever occupied a chair in this council, I would resign right now. Laura Starcher, Mayor of Umatilla, 1916

Umatilla city officials. Image courtesy of Umatilla Museum and Historical Foundation

     Women gained suffrage in Oregon in 1912, eight years before much of the nation, and by 1916 the women of Umatilla took control of city government through their electoral option. Mrs. C.G. Brownell held a card party and the women attending decided what roles each could take in city government. They did not inform the men of the community and the elections proceeded quietly. Since candidates did not have to declare themselves, E.E. Starcher and C.G. Brownell confidently expected re-election. But the town of 198 people elected Laura Starcher as mayor, Lola Merrick as treasurer, Bertha Cherry as recorder, Florence Brownell, Gladys Spinning, Anna Means and Stella Paulu to council positions.

Some men said the women were elected because Mayor Starcher and Auditor Hull were so 'cock-sure' of their power. The fact remains, a change of administration was needed for Umatilla if that town is to grow, the need was realized and the women of Umatilla rose to the occasion. East Oregonian, Dec. 11, 1916

     The women effectively administrated the city for five years. In her acceptance speech, Laura Starcher promised to provide Umatilla a progressive administration, replace failing electric street lights, install sewers, and clean up the town. The womens' administration accomplished Starcher's promises and more, installing warning signs at railroad crossings, adding a library to the community budget, and framing ordinances for speed limits, parking regulations, and fire protection. By 1920, according to Shelley Burtner, the women of Umatilla "Having accomplished what they had set out to do four years earlier," bowed out of the political scene.

Umatilla Election statistics, 1916-1920 

forward

Photo Archive * Documents Archive
Oral History Archive    
Bibliography & Web Resources