Page:Women of the West.djvu/20

Rh Too much cannot be said for the real pioneer women of the West. Arizona is the only state in the Union that has a home built and maintained for its pioneers, both men and women. All credit to the publishers who are editing the book dedicated to the “Women of the West”!

Arizona women have played and are still playing a part on the stage of the great American frontier. Women in the very prime of social, professional and business life of Today's Arizona, recall exciting childhood days when their pioneer mothers helped build and defend the first homes in mining camps, on the ranges and in the fertile valleys. A number of these brave mothers and grandmothers now assemble annually for pioneers' reunions.

Their pioneer daughters have been joined by many others who have come from every part of the country, and who have lingered to play a part in the development of this scenic state—the last to add her star to the galaxy that represents the Union. With the admission to statehood on St. Valentine's Day in 1912, a larger stage opened to Arizona women. Executive educational offices opened for them, and they found a work to do in legislative halls. To date, the State Senate has enrolled one woman and the Assembly roll presents ten names of women. Two women have also filled state offices with credit to the womanhood of the state. Able teachers, lawyers, physicians and business women are all a part of Arizona's present development.

Now that the material frontier has practically disappeared, new frontiers loom above the horizon—social and spiritual frontiers—affording a stage for larger recognition for “human engineers,” for finer artisans and for those with creative ability in literature, in art and in music.

With the passing of Arizona's sixteenth birthday comes a new challenge to her women—one rich in spiritual values—leading from adolescent struggle into a rich flowering of opportunity for Arizona's womanhood.