HISTORICAL MARKERS, WOMEN IN KENTUCKY, PAGE 1
Since 1949, the Kentucky Historical Marker program, an initiative of the Kentucky Historical Society, has allowed communities across Kentucky to recognize and share the sites, events and personalities they consider to be important to local, regional, state or national history. To date, more than 2,300 markers help to illuminate Kentucky’s complex story. A great representation of Kentucky women have been recognized by the Kentucky Historical Marker program. To date, more than 2,300 markers help to illuminate Kentucky’s complex story. Anyone can apply for a historical marker. Start the process by identifying a marker topic. Then conduct research and interpret your findings. The information related to the historical markers on this site is reprinted with permission from the Kentucky Historical Society. To learn more go www.history.ky.gov.
The historical marker for Mary Ingles (#163) is located at Silver Grove, KY 8 at Oak St. in Campbell County, Kentucky. Said to have been first white woman in Kentucky. Captured by Indians in Virginia, July 1755, and taken to Ohio. Later she escaped a salt-making party at Big Bone Lick and made her way across the Kentucky wilderness back to Virginia.
The historical marker for Enid Yandell (#2133) is located at Jct. 2100 Eastern Parkway & 1400 Cherokee Rd., Louisville, Kentucky. Challenged the role of women in the art world as a renowned sculptor. Born 1869 in Louisville and graduated Cinn. Art Acad. in 1889. Gained prominence sculpting caryatids for Woman’s Building at 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In 1897, the Tennessee Centennial Exposition chose her to sculpt a 25′ Athena in Nashville. Presented by Ky. Foundation for Women and Enid: Generations of Women Sculptors. Renowned Woman Sculptor – Enid Yandell established studios in N.Y. and Paris. Studied with Rodin and MacMonnies. Inducted into National Sculpture Society in 1899 as one of first women members. She founded Branstock summer art school in Edgartown, Mass. Two noted works in Louisville: Daniel Boone Monument and Hogan’s Fountain. Buried in Cave Hill Cem. Presented by the families of David Yandell Wood and Ian Yandell Henderson.
Historical Marker #1872 in Richmond at Big Hill Avenue recognizes the work of Frances E. Beauchamp, an advocate for prohibition. This Madison Co. native spearheaded the antiliquor crusade in Ky. and was a leading figure in temperance movement nationwide. A protegee of famed Frances E. Willard, Beauchamp lectured on dry cause throughout the country. Among other causes she championed were prison reform and woman suffrage. Prohibition Advocate – Frances Beauchamp was preeminent leader of dry cause in Kentucky. Pres. of Ky. Women’s Christian Temperance Union from 1895 until her death in 1923. She served ten years as chairman of state Prohibition party at a time when women were denied the vote. Largely through Beauchamp’s efforts, a prohibition amendment to Kentucky constitution was adopted in 1919. 
The historical marker for Lucy Furman (#870) is located at Powell Street, Henderson, Kentucky US 41. Author, lecturer, Lucy Furman depicted life of Kentucky mountain people with dignity in books, serials. Born 1870, by age 23 she had been acclaimed for stories in literary magazines. First book in 1897. She worked and taught at Hindman Settlement School, Knott County, Ky., 1907-27. Continued writing. Death, 1958. Books include The Quare Women and The Glass Window.
The historical marker for Jennie C. Benedict (#2142) is located west side of 4th St. between Chestnut and Muhammad Ali, Louisville. Noted chef, caterer, and author was born 1860 in Louisville. She began her career in 1893 and in 1900 opened Benedict’s restaurant and tearoom on South 4th Street. Entrepreneur Benedict was invited to join Louisville Board of Trade, 1903. Best known as creator of “benedictine,” a sandwich spread that remains a Kentucky food specialty. A founder of Louisville’s Business Women’s Club by 1899; published Blue Ribbon Cookbook 1902. As social reformer for women and the poor, Benedict collaborated with Jennie Casseday in founding King’s Daughters & Sons Training School for Nurses at City Hospital; and an infirmary for women.
Born on Jefferson Street in Louisville, Alice Virginia Coffin was one of seven founders of P.E.O., an international philanthropic and educational organization for women. It began as a sorority at the Iowa Wesleyan College, 1869; owns Cottey College in Missouri, and provides monetary assistance for education of women. Miss Coffin designed the P.E.O. seal. Presented by Ky. P.E.O. Chapters. The house is located on Jefferson St., between Preston & Floyd Streets in Louisville. 
Lida Calvert Obenchain (“Eliza Calvert Hall”), suffragist, press superintendent of Kentucky. Equal Rights Association, poet, author. Her most famous story, “Sally Ann’s Experience” (1898), protested women’s inequality. President Roosevelt praised her first collection of stories, Aunt Jane of Kentucky(1907). Royalties helped purchase home at 1353 Chestnut St. The Land of Long Ago (1909), To Love and to Cherish (1911) and Clover and Blue Grass (1916) followed. For A Book of Hand-Woven Coverlets (1912), she bought coverlets from wagons of tobacco farmers on Chestnut St. Her books reached at least one million readers. The historicall marker is located at the corner of Chestnet & 14th Streets in Bowling Green. 
Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips (above left), founder of National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, 1919, born here on 303 S. Main Street, Nicholasville, September 15, 1881. Her work with the YWCA, 1917, led to interest in organization of business women. Instrumental in organizing and first President of the International Federation of B. and P. W., 1930. Died 1955; buried Maple Grove Cem., Nicholasville. This marker is located at 303 S Main. Street, Nicholasville.
In 1894, a group of local women established the House of Mercy on this site to provide a home for single pregnant women. In 1921 the home became affiliated with Florence Crittenton Homes, founded by Charles Crittenton in memory of his daughter, Florence, for the purpose of helping women in need. For 118 years, the Florence Crittenton Home helped countless women and girls. Essential social & medical services were provided, with aid from staff, donors, volunteers, schools, churches, hospitals, and government funding. The home closed in 2013. The historical marker is located at 519 W. 4th St., Lexington.
Mary Millicent Miller of Louisville, a pioneer among women, was issued license as master of a steamboat on inland waters, Feb. 16, 1884, in New Orleans. License authorized her to navigate waters of Quachita, Mississippi, Red, and other western rivers. She and her husband George, a pilot and master, owned steamboat SALINE, built nearby. Died 1894; buried in Portland Cemetery. This marker is located at Bank St. at the entrance to Portland Cemetery in Louisville
Author, lecturer, Lucy Furman depicted life of Kentucky mountain people with dignity in books, serials. Born here, 1870, by age 23 she had been acclaimed for stories in literary magazines. First book in 1897. She worked and taught at Hindman Settlement School, Knott County, Ky., 1907-27. She continued to write. She died in 1958. Her books include The Quare Women and The Glass Window. The historical marker is located at Powell Street, Henderson, US 41