New additions to the Vermont Women's History Database

The Vermont Women’s History Project began in April 2004 under the auspices of the Vermont Commission on Women. After background development and research, it began its public work in March 2005. Its mission was to promote the understanding of the diverse experiences of women in Vermont history, and by doing so create a new perspective on history and culture that would have a positive effect on society’s perceptions of women.

Over five years, the project developed exhibitions, conducted oral history interviews, hosted programming, and created a research database of biographical information on Vermont women. In 2010, the Vermont Historical Society took ownership of all project materials and continued to host and update the database on its website.

In September 2024, VHS announced five new additions to the database: Becca Balint (b. 1968), Ella Maria Ballou (1852 - 1937), Edna Hall Brown (1909-2000), Sarah C. Hagar (1927 - 1908), and Emily Rebecca Page (1834 - 1862).

Becca Balint

Historian, educator, State Senator from Windham County (2015-2023), President Pro Tem of the Vermont State Senate (2021-2023), US Representative from Vermont (2023-present). First woman and first openly LGBTQ-identifying person to represent Vermont at the federal level.

Ella Maria Ballou

Educator, Secretary, and Court Stenographer. First woman to be a court stenographer in Vermont, and possibly in the country.

Edna Hall Brown

First Black woman to graduate from the University of Vermont in 1931. Scientist, mathematician, educator, and community leader in Baltimore.

Sarah C. Hagar

Educator and librarian; founder of the Vermont Library Association.

Emily Rebecca Page  

Poet and editor who was raised and educated in Vermont and found success working in Boston with major illustrated periodicals of the time, including Gleason's Pictorial.

You can see the entire Vermont Women's History Database here.