Jimmy Ueland ’22, looks into the great impact Clara Ueland had in her community.
This summer 25 students were accepted in the CSGC grants program. These grants are funded due to the generous support of the Cost, Earle/Mendillo and Workman families, who established endowment funds to support the community and public service endeavors of future generations of Deerfield students. For more information on these grants please visit: https://deerfield.edu/csgc/grants.
Clara Ueland dedicated her life to service. As a mother, teacher, and activist, she was a highly influential member of the Minneapolis, Minnesota community. She was a women’s suffragist, advocating for equal voting rights, and within her own home she began one of the first early education programs in the state. After the 19th amendment was ratified in 1920, providing women with the opportunity to vote, she became the first president of the Minnesota Women’s League of Voters.
Throughout the summer, I plan to research Clara Ueland’s life and its significant impact. Thus far, I have researched the political landscape of Minnesota in the late 1800’s and general information about Clara Ueland’s life to provide context that will assist me throughout this process. Furthermore, I will be in contact with family members that have first-hand knowledge of Clara to aid my research. Additionally, I am examining primary documents from the Minnesota Historical Society that may offer a detailed perspective on her life.
With its focus on voting rights and suffrage movements, this project will help bring the modern-day issue of voter suppression to light. I hope to provide a thorough discussion of the positive, impactful work Clara contributed to her community. Ultimately, I would like to thank the CSGC for providing me with this opportunity over the summer.