Winona Branch Sawyer Explained

Winona Branch Sawyer
Birth Date:August 8, 1847
Birth Place:Williamsville, New York, US
Death Date:October 24, 1939 (aged 92)
Death Place:Lancaster County, Nebraska, US
Nationality:American
Known For:Feminist literature

Winona Branch Sawyer (August 8, 1847 – October 24, 1939) was an American writer. She spoke widely about feminism.[1] [2] She also studied law and became the second woman to be admitted to the Nebraska bar in 1887. In 1889, she was admitted to the Supreme Court.

Early and personal life

Sawyer was born on August 8, 1847, in Williamsville, New York to Rev. Wm. Branch and Elizabeth Trowbridge Branch. Her mother passed away when she was three years old, and since then she had travelled frequently with his father who was a Baptist missionary. His father initiated the establishment of many churches in New York, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

Sawyer was a close, lifelong friend of former colleague Frances Shimer.[3] In 1875, she married lawyer A.J Sawyer and moved to Nebraska.[4]

Education and career

Sawyer attended Mount Carroll Seminary, which is now known as Shimer College, and graduated in 1871. She worked as a teacher at the institution and later became a member of the board of trustees. She donated the Sawyer House, which became the official residence of the campus president.[5]

In 1883, she enrolled at the University of Nebraska to study painting and art history.[6]

She later studied law and became the second woman to be admitted to the Nebraska bar in 1887. In 1889, she was admitted to the Supreme Court. Sawyer adopted and looked after two male siblings and was therefore unable to practice law. Nevertheless, she regularly assisted her husband in the preparation of his cases. Sawyer once commented about the status of women in the legal profession at the time:[7]

Sawyer wrote many literary works throughout her life — ranging from newspaper correspondences, addresses, speeches, essays and fictions.

Works

Death

Sawyer died on October 24, 1939, at Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska.[8] She was buried at Wyuka Cemetery.

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Legal Profession for Women. The Congress of Women: Held in the Woman's Building, World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, U. S. A., 1893 . http://www.digital.library.upenn.edu/women/eagle/congress/sawyer.html. 273. Sawyer, Winona Branch. Eagle, Mary Kavanaugh Oldham. Monarch Book Company. 1894 . A Celebration of Women Writers . 1 October 2020.
  2. Web site: Winona S. Branch Sawyer. American Life Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1940 . 1 October 2020 . 23 December 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20021223025639/http://www.nebar.com/memberinfo/calendar/centennial/bios/Sawyer.htm . 2002-12-23 .
  3. Book: Henderson . Samuel . Selected Readings on the Life and Work of Frances Ann Wood Shimer . 2012 . Lulu.com . 978-1-300-51548-7 . 1 October 2020 . en.
  4. Web site: Nebraska state historical society collection record . History Nebraska . 1 October 2020.
  5. News: Watson . Tom . Frances Shimer One Of Largest Girls' Schools . Freeport Journal-Standard . 15 February 1934 . 4.
  6. Book: Nebraska. University, University of Nebraska (Lincoln campus). The Register and Catalogue for the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska . 1884 . Journal Company, State Printers . 1 October 2020 . en.
  7. Book: Rogers . Rebecca . Boussahba-Bravard . Myriam . Women in International and Universal Exhibitions, 1876–1937 . 14 August 2017 . Routledge . 978-1-351-76733-0 . en.
  8. News: Mrs. Sawyer, Noted Shimer Alumna, Dies . Decatur Herald . Associated Press . 26 October 1939 . 12.

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