By Breven Honda

More than a 100 years ago, Anne Martin ensured the women in Nevada, including in the Virgin Valley, had a voice.

However, her voice came during a time even before women had the right to vote. Because of Martin, she led the way for women in the Silver State as the President of the Nevada Equal Franchise Society. As President, Martin organized campaigns, rallied communities all across the state and marched in parades.

That led to women earning their chance to vote in the state in 1914, six years before the 19th Amendment was enacted.

Her legacy continues to live on, especially in Mesquite, more than 11 decades later.

On Aug. 27 and one day after Women’s Equality Day, the Anne Martin Memorial Plaque was unveiled in the Women’s Suffrage Plaza at the Women’s History and Culture Center. 

Those in attendance for the plaque unveiling also included City of Mesquite Mayor Jesse Whipple and Director of Athletics and Leisure Randy Laub.

Laub, who helped getting the plaque set through his department, said it was honor just being part of the event.

“I think it’s pretty significant just over the years with women’s rights and their ability to be able to have a positive effect,” Laub said. “(Women’s History and Culture Center Founder Jean Watkins) totally signifies what that is. She’s amazing.

“They got some really cool stuff over the last several years, different events that have happened. So, it means a lot to me that I’ve been able to be even invited because I think it says a lot for women’s history.”

Including Whipple, there were those who spoke about Martin and the impact she still has today. The keynote speaker was Dr. Deanna Beachley, Professor of History and Women’s Studies from the College of Southern Nevada.

Whipple said getting to hear the different speakers was moving because of how they are able to connect with Martin and her legacy.

“It was very inspiring the things she did,” Whipple said. “She came from a little bit of money which helped, but she took that and used it to go and make a huge difference in the world. Very admirable what she did and clearly, a strong, intelligent woman that fought for what she believed in.”

Even Whipple spoke about how Martin’s impact can be connected to the different generations today and how they play similar role to Martin, providing that influential impact.

“The mayor got up and spoke about his grandma, spoke about his mom, and spoke about a lot of things that the women in his life and how he’s been able to orchestrate him as the person he is today,” Laub said. “If you look at those things and you bring that into your own life, ‘What is my mom doing? What was my grandma doing?’ And what have they gone through to really set forth precedent of how strong women are.”

Both Laub and Whipple have daughters and realize how important an event like this impacts them, representing the future generations of women to come.

“I have four daughters as well as my wife,” Whipple said. “The opportunities that they have that they can fend for themselves and be successful. My oldest daughter is a college graduate. My wife’s a college graduate. My second daughter is on her way. Then the other two are still in middle school and high school, but the opportunities that are there for them, It means a lot for me.

“Anne Martin and the rest of those women 100 years ago were so instrumental in providing these opportunities that they enjoy now that also I get a benefit now for my girls and my wife.”

Laub added how he lets his daughter attend some of these events with him because of the impact she can learn from them. 

“I have a daughter that’s 15 years old,” Laub said. “I take her to some of these events with me, just to let her listen. I think having those women as figure heads even teaches my daughter a lot that, ‘Hey, you can do great things.’”

“For my daughter to see those things, I think it really helps her understand that being a woman is extremely powerful.”

The Anne Martin Plaque is part of the Women’s Suffrage Plaza that was unveiled in 2020, honoring the centennial of women getting the right to vote in 1920.