Western Pennsylvania
Women in History Quiz


From The Pittsburgh Woman, February 1985, by Anne Talvacchio.
Although Pennsylvania can pride itself on being the first state in the U.S. to add an Equal Rights Amendment to its constitution, the sad fact remains that the significant contributions of its female citizens have been consistently overlooked and undervalued.
In an effort to help redress that imbalance, the following "quiz" offers a glimpse into the fascinating record of what it has meant to be a woman throughout the 300 years of Pennsylvania history. As such, the quiz embodies the goals and spirit of National Women's History Week celebrated this coming March 3-10: to recognize the many extraordinary and everyday achievements of women in the past while developing an appreciation for the richness that women's experiences and values continue to bring to America's ongoing history.
The accomplishments of many of the women mentioned here are milestones in themselves, but women in western Pennsylvania can take special pride in this "hometown" tradition of courage, independence, and ingenuity that is ours to live up to.

Questions

  1. What Seneca Indian "reigned with great authority" for most of her life over a tribe of 30 families and through her devotion to the English played an influential part in their victory over France for the right to rule America?
  2. For what cultured, deeply religious, elegant yet thrifty, and charitable German woman is the town of Zelienople named?
  3. Embarking on a third career at 63, this Meadville-area woman gained public office in her first bid for election and without party backing at a time when women had only recently won the right to vote.
  4. At her first Democratic National Convention in 1924, this Westmoreland County native became the first American woman to receive a vote for the presidential nomination.
  5. Allegheny County elected its first female county commissioner, Bar