Who was Sarah Platt Decker?
Sarah Platt Decker was a Colorado suffragist who was responsible for many of the legal reforms affecting women and children in this state.
She served as a powerful campaigner for the referendum that won the vote for Colorado women in 1893. She was the first woman appointed to the Civil Service Commission of Colorado. She became the national president of the Federation of Associated Women’s Clubs. She was the only woman invited by President Theodore Roosevelt to the Governors’ Conference on the Conservation of Natural Resources. She was touted as a possible candidate for the United States Senate.
She was quite an outspoken and accomplished lady for the era of 1900.
Decker visited Mrs. John J. McNeil, the Colorado Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) state regent, in Durango in 1908-1909. There she met the charter members of the DAR chapter. They were impressed with her brilliant mind, sympathetic heart and common sense.
In 1917, the charter members elected to name the newly organized DAR chapter in her honor. They adopted her motto, “Never frown, never sigh, keep step,” as the chapter motto. The chapter now includes ladies from Pagosa Springs as well as Durango.
Join us for a late morning (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) talk with Chautauqua speaker Gail Beaton, who will give a presentation and answer questions about Decker on Friday, Sept. 26, at the Community United Methodist Church, 434 Lewis St. The event is free.
>