Know That State: Wyoming

In 2026, there are 14 female governors in the United States. That is the most women serving as governor at the same time. Wyoming was the first state to elect a female governor. Do you know her name?  

In 1924, Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming was the first woman to be elected as governor of a state.

In October of 1924, William B. Ross, the governor of Wyoming, passed away. The state needed a new governor. The Democratic Party nominated his wife, Nellie Tayloe Ross, to succeed him. She won the general election and was inaugurated in January of 1925. Ross finished her husband’s term. Afterwards, she became the director of the US Mint. 

Photo Credit: Bain News Service (American publisher);Unknown (American photographer active 1915-1920)/Library of Congress

In 2007, the US Mint released this quarter celebrating Wyoming’s “Equality State” nickname.

It is not surprising that Wyoming would be the first state to elect a woman as governor. As a frontier territory, Wyoming adopted policies that would attract women to move to the state. In 1869, as a territory, Wyoming passed a law giving women the right to vote and hold office. This came 50 years before the 19^th Amendment gave women the right to vote in the United States in 1920. Wyoming became the first state to have female jurors, a female bailiff, and a female justice of the peace. For these reasons, Wyoming is known as “The Equality State.”  

Photo Credit: United States Mint image/ U.S. Mint

This geyser, known as “Old Faithful,” erupts with water roughly every 90 minutes. It is part of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

Wyoming is also known for its natural beauty. It has wide open landscapes and some of the most spectacular outdoor attractions in the country. This includes Yellowstone National Park, the first National Park. Wyoming is also home to Grand Teton National Park, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, and Devils Tower National Monument.  

Photo Credit: haveseen/123RF, LLC

More Facts About Wyoming 

• Wyoming became a state in 1890. 

• The name Wyoming came from two Delaware Indian words MECHEWEAMI-ING (or MAUGHWAUWA-MA), which means “at the big plains,” or “on the great plain.” 

• Wyoming only has 584,000 residents. Many American cities have larger populations than Wyoming.  

• Wyoming is the tenth- largest state by total land area. Only Alaska has fewer residents per square mile. 

• There are only two escalators in the entire state of Wyoming. Both are in banks in Casper, Wyoming. 

What Do You Think? What would you be excited to learn about or do in Wyoming? 

Photo Credit: McGraw Hill Education