From collection Candidates
Martha E. Plummer campaigned for the School Board in Mt. Vernon, Illinois in 1892. There were two female and two male candidates running for two seats. Both Plummer and the other female candidate won the majority of the votes. It was the first year that women in Illinois could vote in school elections. The male candidates contested the election, claiming that the votes of women was against the state constitution. The lower county court agreed with this, despite recently passed legislation. The Illinois Supreme Court ruled in favor of the rights of women to vote in school elections and Plummer and her female colleague were seated on the school board.
