Wyoming is a wonderful place to live. Open spaces, independence and a lot of freedom. However, historically, the Cowboy State was a pioneer of "firsts" too.  Today on the Top 5 at 7:45, I'll highlight what Wyoming did first as a state. Other states in the Union have followed suit, but not before Wyoming did it.

  1. First Women Voters - On September 30, 1869, the Wyoming state convention approved a constitution allowing women to vote. Wyoming Territory was the first state to allow women to vote in the whole Union.
  2. First Woman Governor - An office always held by men in America, was changed in 1925 when Wyoming voted in Nellie Tayloe Ross. She was nominated by the Democratic Party, after the death of her husband, William Ross. She served from 1925-1927.
  3. First Woman Justice - Esther Hobart Morris was the first woman to be appointed as a justice of the peace in South Pass City, Wyoming in the year 1870.
  4. Library Systems - Laramie County was the first county to organize our country's first public library system in 1886.
  5. J.C. Penny's - With over 1,000 department stores today, James Cash Penny opened his first J.C. Penny store in Kemmerer, Wyoming on April 14, 1902. He was only 27 years old.

There are many other "firsts" that Wyoming is known for. Yellowstone National Park was the first national park in the world in 1871. Also, the first all woman jury was seated in Laramie Wyoming in the year 1870.

The Top 5 at 7:45 airs weekdays with me, Gary Freeman and sponsored by First Education Federal Credit Union. What Wyoming firsts do you know about? Share them with us in the comment section below.

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