THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY
the following stories highlight a few of the courageous women
whose lives made a difference to our community.
LUELLA BROWN BOYER BRENT - Civil rights
"mADAME bOYER"
Although they could neither read nor write, Luella’s parents made sure their children attended school, and instilled in them a strong determination for a better life. Luella’s younger brother Samuel became a distinguished Civil Rights attorney and a founding member of the Des Moines, Iowa chapter of the NAACP.
Luella and her first husband John C. Boyer lived in Lewiston, Idaho in 1900 and moved to Everett in 1902. He was a barber, and apparently sold hair products as a traveling salesman. They adopted a baby, but not long after their arrival in Everett, the marriage ended, and Luella was left to provide for herself and her daughter. She called herself a widow and opened a hair salon out of her home at 2928 Colby. She named her business Madame Boyer’s Ladies’ Hair Emporium. She advertised in The Seattle Republican (a black newspaper) for a “girl to learn hair work; get pay while you learn.”
Luella and her first husband John C. Boyer lived in Lewiston, Idaho in 1900 and moved to Everett in 1902. He was a barber, and apparently sold hair products as a traveling salesman. They adopted a baby, but not long after their arrival in Everett, the marriage ended, and Luella was left to provide for herself and her daughter. She called herself a widow and opened a hair salon out of her home at 2928 Colby. She named her business Madame Boyer’s Ladies’ Hair Emporium. She advertised in The Seattle Republican (a black newspaper) for a “girl to learn hair work; get pay while you learn.”
Luella is believed to be the first black woman to own a business in Everett. She was very active in the black community and was a frequent contributor to the Sunday Forum, a Seattle group that met for lectures, concerts, and events to promote the social and economic development of blacks.
Luella died in 1912 at age 44 from complications related to diabetes. She is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Everett.
the suffrage movement in everett - women's rights
Ida Noyes McIntyre, MD
Courtesy of Everett Public Library |
One of Russell's most defining moments came on July 5th, 1910. On this day, well-known evangelist Billy Sunday was speaking in Everett during his nation-wide tour. A woman working on Sunday's campaign as a Bible speaker, Rae Muirhead, spoke on the role of women with regards to voting, which was to teach their sons to vote properly but should not be able to do so themselves. After she was finished, Russell asked to be heard, but was denied. Instead of retreating, Russell stood on a bench in front of 6,500 people and rebuked the claims made by Muirhead and spoke of the importance of suffrage and how equal rights would benefit all citizens.
Missouri Hanna, suffragist and editor of the newspaper Votes for Women, was present at the event and wrote: "This event became the rallying point of an enthusiasm for suffrage which has put Everett in the forefront of the campaign. Mrs. Russell is resourceful, she has rallied about her many able women and many novel schemes have been devised to further the cause of suffrage in Snohomish and adjoining counties." The events that unfolded on July 5th became a catalyst for the suffrage movement. From Russell's words on equal rights for the working woman, she was able to rally men in unions behind the cause. If women got the right to vote along with equal wages in the workplace, employers could no longer get away with hiring women over men due to paying lower wages. |
On the state level efforts, suffragists P. P. Stalford and Rose Moore, representing the Washington Political Equality League made a statewide trip in October 1910 and came to Everett, of which Stalford told the Everett Morning Tribune, "Everett is the most strongly organized city in the state. Their cordiality was genuine, and our visit there was full of pleasure as well as profit for suffrage."
In order for women to secure the right to vote, men would have to vote "yes" to Article VI. Since the article was not labeled as such, the club hung a banner across Hewitt Avenue outside of the Commerce Building stating, "Vote for amendment, Article VI: It means vote for women" On November 8, 1910, men voted for Article VI, solidifying women's right to vote, making Washington the fifth state to do so. |
Placing Posters in Seattle in 1910
Courtest of Washington State Archives |
Everett women did not stop fighting for equality and turned their efforts nationwide. On February 14, 1920, the League of Women Voters was created. Their efforts were instrumental in securing the 19th Amendment. They maintained the ideologies that were used 10 years earlier, appealing to men in labor unions and remaining bi-partisan in order to appeal to all voters.
The League of Women Voters is alive and well in Everett, 100 years later. They hold a celebration every year on February 14th. The efforts of the group today include registering new voters, speaking to students about the importance of voting, and advocating for better education. Every year on National Voter Registration Day, the women spend the day in public libraries across Snohomish County and register people to vote.
The League of Women Voters is alive and well in Everett, 100 years later. They hold a celebration every year on February 14th. The efforts of the group today include registering new voters, speaking to students about the importance of voting, and advocating for better education. Every year on National Voter Registration Day, the women spend the day in public libraries across Snohomish County and register people to vote.
Harriette Shelton Dover - Native American Rights
Harriette Shelton Dover
Courtesy Tulalip Tribes |
Born in Tulalip, Washington in 1904, Harriette grew up during a challenging time for Native Americans and women. Her father was the last hereditary Chief of the Snohomish Tribe and was very prominent in the community as well as the surrounding cities. Her mother was born just two years after tht eisning of the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855 which designated the reservations. From a young age, her family instilled in her the values of the Coast Salish Tribes; always be kind, s[peak the truth and be respectful. Although her family always kept the cultural fires burning, they also taught her the importance of a good education. With a good education and passion for her culture, Harriette was able to be of help to the Tulalip Tribes in the coming years.
When Harriett turned five years old, she was forced to attend the Tulalip boarding school, where she endured over a decade of emotional and physical abuse for speaking her Natie language and reading books while she was supposed to be doing chores. |
After graduating from the boarding school, she moved to Everett where she attended Everett High School and graduated in 1926. She recounts her time at Everett High School as being joyfyul as she made many lifelong friends and had wonderful teachers who fueled her ambitions.
Once Harriette moved back to the reservation, she was the first woman to sit on the Board of Directors and paved the way for Tulalip to become what it is today. Harriette was responsible for bringing back ceremonies, traditional songs and the language of the Snohomish people. She was also credited with being the driving force to bring a school to the reservation to better serve Tulalip students.
Although she was living in Tulalip, Harriette remained active in the Everett community. She was a member of the Everett chapter of the Zonta Club which still operates today and fights for the equality of women in the workplace. She recalls being the only Native American woman in the club but fondly remembers how receptive the other members were to learn about her culture and the struggles she faced as a Native American woman. One of Harriette's lifelong goals was to become a published author where she would write about her life, family, and culture. While attending Everett Community College, Harriette became friends with her Anthropology professor, Darleen Fitzpatrick. Starting in the early 1980s,, Darleen began recording Harriette speak about her life story, her culture and the history of the Snohomish people. Unfortunately, Harriette passed away in 1991 and never saw her book published. Darleen, however, transcribed her conversations with Harriette and created her biography in 2015, Tulalip from My Heart: An Autobiographical Account of a Reservation Community. For more information, check out the website of our board member Lita Sheldon https://litasheldon.com/biographies-and-interviews/ or visit the Hibulb Cultural Center in Tulalip |
![]() Sharing Tulalip Artifacts
Courtesy of HeraldNet.com |
Mary Lambert - LGBTQ Rights
Born and raised in Everett, Mary Lambert came from a religious family and grew up attending church regularly. When she was very young, Mary suffered abuse at the hands of her father and others around her. As a way to cope, Mary taught herself how to play the piano and began writing songs at the age of six.
As she grew up, she struggled with reconciling her faith with her sexuality. When she was seventeen, Mary came out to her family and friends as lesbian. Through the support from those closest to her, she remained faithful and |
found comfort in her Christianity. After graduating from Mariner High School in 2007, Mary moved to Seattle and began studying Music Composition at Cornish College of the ARts.
While in college, Mary became a proficient poet. She performed at open mics and represented Seattle in competitions while continuing to write music. In her final year of college. Mary co-wrote and provided vocals for the double-platinum song Same Love with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. The song became so popular that it was in the top ten single charts in six different countries. Amidst the unprecedented success of the song, Mary also independently released a book of her poetry titled, 500 Tips for Fat Girls as well as her debut single, She Keeps Me Warm. Both projects received glowing reviews as she began to work on her EP, Welcome to the Age of My Body with Capital Records.
While in college, Mary became a proficient poet. She performed at open mics and represented Seattle in competitions while continuing to write music. In her final year of college. Mary co-wrote and provided vocals for the double-platinum song Same Love with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. The song became so popular that it was in the top ten single charts in six different countries. Amidst the unprecedented success of the song, Mary also independently released a book of her poetry titled, 500 Tips for Fat Girls as well as her debut single, She Keeps Me Warm. Both projects received glowing reviews as she began to work on her EP, Welcome to the Age of My Body with Capital Records.
In following years, Mary has continued to write and release music and poetry. She has also become an activist in the LGBTQ+ community where she travels to schools and other venues to tell her story of abuse, religion, sexuality and her bi-polar disorder. Her words, poems and music have reached millions across the world and continue to inspire and provide a voice to young people who have or are facing something similar.