March is designated as Women’s History Month to honor the significant contributions and achievements of women throughout history. This celebration originated from International Women’s Day, first observed on March 8, 1911, following advocacy by Clara Zetkin at the 1910 International Conference of Working Women. The United States expanded this recognition in 1980 with National Women’s History Week, which Congress officially extended to a month in 1987.
Photo Credit: Chronicle Media Group / AI-assisted design-A tribute to trailblazing women from Lansing and Ingham County whose leadership has shaped Michigan’s history in government, law, education, and community service. From judges and senators to educators and civil rights pioneers, their legacies continue to inspire future generations.
The choice of March is symbolic, aligning with historical milestones such as the 1857 garment workers’ strike in New York City and International Women’s Day. It serves as a time to reflect on women’s roles in advancing equality, from suffragists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton to modern leaders in education, politics, and science.
This year’s theme, “Moving Forward Together! Women Education & Inspiring Generations,” emphasizes the role of women as educators and mentors, shaping future generations for a more equitable society. Writing about these contributions can inspire readers to recognize women’s enduring impact across all sectors.
It is the hard work of many talented, dedicated, and fine women that paved the way for me to be the first African American to be appointed as Chief of Staff for the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.
Many women from Lansing, Ingham County, and Michigan have demonstrated leadership, bravery and made notable achievements in all professions and walks of life. Highlighting a few of these women’s achievements can inspire our collective community by showing how their efforts shaped history and continue to impact society today.
Mary Ellen Sheets founded "Two Men and a Truck," which grew from a family pickup truck into a worldwide moving company empire with franchises in 37 states, Canada, England, and Ireland. By 2014, the company had completed its 5,000,000th move.
Paula Cunningham became the first female president of Lansing Community College, successfully leading a millage increase and funding for five new buildings. She later became the first female president and CEO of Capitol National Bank, guiding the bank through Michigan's worst recession in 70 years. Cunningham was also the first African American woman to chair the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and first African American director of AARP Michigan. Induction into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 2013.
Lynn Griffor, as vice president of philanthropy for the McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation, successfully led a $10 million capital campaign to support McLaren's new health care campus.
Michelle Massey, vice president of community outreach and customer operations at TechSmith, has over 25 years of information technology experience. She is responsible for growing the company's philanthropic impact in K-12 education and engagement in STEM fields for underrepresented communities.
Cindy Kanga: a lifelong Lansing resident, has experience in nonprofit development, marketing, and community relations. She currently works at the Capital Area Manufacturing Council, focusing on bringing awareness to the challenges and opportunities manufacturers face in the capital region.
Dr. Olivia Letts: The first African American teacher in Lansing Public Schools, she worked to desegregate the district and increase opportunities for teachers of color.
Marylou Olivarez Mason: Advocate for Hispanic rights, she was the first woman to lead the Michigan Commission on Spanish-Speaking Affairs.
Martha Strickland: The first woman to argue a case before the Michigan Supreme Court and an early advocate for women’s suffrage.
Hortense Canady: A civil rights champion who left a lasting impact on Lansing through her activism.
Alexa Irene Canady: The first African American woman neurosurgeon in the U.S., with ties to Lansing.
Barbara Roberts Mason is a trailblazing figure in Michigan's history, known for her significant contributions to education, civil rights, and public service. She was the first African American woman in Michigan elected to statewide office in 1974. Served a record 24 years on Michigan's State Board of Education. Instrumental in establishing the Office of Minority Affairs at the Michigan Education Association. Founder and president emeritus of The Black Child and Family Institute in Lansing. Served as the Lansing Schools Education Association executive director in 1971. Instrumental in establishing the Office of Minority Affairs at the Michigan Education Association. Led humanitarian, business, and education exchanges to various countries. Served as president of the Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission. Served in critical roles at the State, Federal, Government level on domestic and international foreign policy issues. Established HIV-AIDS projects and worked on clean water initiatives in Ghana. Inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2014. Recipient of MSU's Glen Taggart Award for Community Contributions to International Understanding. Awarded Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority International's Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Medallion of Honor. 2024 Lansing Chapter, NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award. Barbara Roberts Mason's legacy continues to inspire the Lansing community and beyond, embodying a lifelong commitment to education, equality, and justice.
These women paved the way for future female leaders in Lansing and Ingham County, breaking barriers in local and state government positions.
Frieda Schneider (1882-1946): She was the first woman to gain elective office in Lansing, being overwhelmingly elected as city treasurer in 1920, just weeks before the final approval of the 19th amendment. Schneider later became the first woman to hold the position of county treasurer as well.
Eva McCall Hamilton: The first woman elected to Michigan's State Senate in 1920, symbolizing the suffrage movement's success.
Bertha Ray: She was the second woman elected to office in Lansing after women gained the right to vote. In 1923, Ray was elected city clerk, a position she held for 27 years until her retirement. She was also the first woman in Lansing to vote and the first woman to clerk for the Lansing City Council.
Elizabeth Belen: In 1937, Belen became the second woman in history to be elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the Ingham County 1st District (Lansing). She was also the first female Democrat to hold this position.
Dora Hall Stockman: While not specifically from Lansing or Ingham County, Stockman made history in 1919 by becoming the first woman elected to a statewide office in Michigan when she won a seat on the State Board of Agriculture. She later served as a Representative for the Ingham County 2nd District (Lansing) from 1939 to 1946.
Cora Reynolds Anderson: The first woman and only Native American elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1924. She worked to improve healthcare and fight tuberculosis. During her term from 1925 to 1926, she: Chaired the Industrial Home for Girls Committee Served on the Agriculture, Insurance, and Northern State Normal School committee Focused on public welfare issues, particularly public health. Representative Anderson’s contributions have been recognized in several ways: The Anderson House Office Building in Lansing was named in her honor in 2000. She was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2001.
Judge Beverly Nettles was a pioneering figure in Michigan's judicial system in 1990, she became the first African American to sit on any judicial bench in Ingham County when appointed to the 54-A District Court. She served as Chief Judge of the 54-A District Court in 1998. In 2002, she made history again as the first African American elected to the Ingham County Circuit Court.
Senator Debbie Stabenow: The first woman from Michigan elected to the U.S. Senate, where she has served since 2001, championing healthcare and agriculture.
Governor Jennifer Granholm: Michigan's first female governor, serving from 2003 to 2011, she focused on education, healthcare, and economic reforms.
Judge Shauna Dunnings is a distinguished legal professional and public servant who has made significant contributions to the judiciary in Michigan. Elected in 2018, first African American and First Woman Probate Judge in Ingham County. Judge Dunnings has served as Chief Probate Judge since January 1, 2022, and appointed Chief Circuit Court Judge in 2025.
Justice Kyra Harris Bolden made history as the first Black woman to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court when she was sworn in on January 1, 2023. At 34 years old at the time of her appointment, she is also the youngest justice to serve on the state's highest court.
Abigail Rogers played a transformative role in establishing the Michigan Female College in Lansing in 1855. Together with her sister Delia, Abigail founded this institution to provide higher education opportunities for young women, at a time when women were barred from entering the state's top-level schools.
The Rogers sisters, who were educated and experienced in college-level administration, opened the Michigan Female College with the goal of offering the highest grade of education for young women. Initially, the school held daily sessions in the Michigan State Capitol for two years until they secured funds to build their own facilities in 1857. Under Abigail's leadership, the college offered a comprehensive curriculum including classical and scientific studies, mathematics, philosophy, and political economy. By 1867, the institution had educated more than a thousand women from Michigan and nine other states. Abigail Rogers continued to advocate for women's higher education until her death in 1869. Her efforts were widely recognized, with the Lansing Republican newspaper calling her "the acknowledged and leading champion of the higher education of women in Michigan". Shortly after her death, Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) admitted its first female student, followed by the University of Michigan in 1870, marking a significant shift in women's access to higher education in the state.
The curriculum included classical and scientific studies, mathematics, philosophy, and political economy, ensuring rigorous academic training for women. Abigail was deeply committed to accessibility; she ensured that financial hardship would not prevent any young woman from attending. By 1867, the college had educated over 1,000 women from Michigan and nine other states.
Beyond founding the college, Abigail Rogers tirelessly advocated for women's admission to public universities. Her efforts were instrumental in opening doors for women at Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) and the University of Michigan shortly after her death in 1869. The Lansing Republican hailed her as "the acknowledged and leading champion of the higher education of women in Michigan".
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on research from publicly available internet sources. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, readers are encouraged to verify details independently for complete reliability.
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