Women at Knappton Cove

          The 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote, was passed this month, a century ago, when our country was just coming out of a global pandemic. Here we are, once again, in the midst of another global pandemic, evaluating our progress on issues of equality. As we commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage in the U.S., we offer you this bit of women's history from Knappton Cove.

       According to our records, there were never any nurses employed at this Quarantine Station. However, in the 1906 photo of Quarantine Station Personnel (below) there are two female Public Health Service employees, Mrs. Annie Abraham on the right and Miss Madge Sovey, on the left.

         Miss Sovey served as a Clerk and resigned from the Station in 1906 to marry Mr. Willard Rush, a lineal descendant of the celebrated Dr. Benjamin Rush. "Madge was detailed as a clerk and, it is noted in the Station log, that she was replaced by Miss Mary Fossett from Maine at a salary of $50/month -- the same as for male clerks. It is a credit to the Public Health Service that policy dictated equal pay for any grade job held, man or woman. The log also notes that her salary was increased to $60/month in March of 1907 -- good pay for anyone at that time."

As we recognize this milestone of Women's Suffrage, we are reminded that there is still work to be done to ensure ALL have access to this right. Sacagawea was one of the first women of color the National American Women's Suffrage Association adopted (early 20th century) symbolizing women's worth and independence. When the Lewis & Clark Expedition reached the Pacific Ocean (near Knappton Cove) all members of the Expedition -- including Sacagawea and York -- Clark's black manservant -- voted on the location for building their winter fort. It is a mark of their deep respect for her that Sacagawea was given a voice in the decision by being allowed to vote. Later, while wintering over at Ft. Clatsop, a whale's carcass washed up onto a beach to the south. Sacagawea insisted on traveling to see this "monstrous fish." If you had made an arduous journey such as this, wouldn't you have too? These are just a couple of stories of women that have graced the shores of Knappton Cove.