Influential women throughout Ross County history

CHILLICOTHE— This March is recognized as Women's History Month. Throughout history, women worldwide have made lasting contributions to their communities, including right here in Ross County.

Archivist and historian from the Ross County Historical Society Pat Medert said women can be hard to find when researching history but not because they were unimportant. They were often just tied to and identified by their husbands. Medert said if a woman was single it is almost impossible to find records of them in history.

Historical Women

Ross County boasts a large number of historical figures who were born and raised in the area. These women would often start out their lives in the area and later move to find greater nationwide success. While they may have left their roots were formed in Ross County.

One of the most well-known and influential women in Ross County is Lucy Webb Hayes, a former first lady of the United States. Before marrying former president Rutherford B. Hayes she was born in Chillicothe in 1831. Her former home now serves as the Lucy Webb Hayes Heritage Center. In 1850 she would graduate from the Cincinnati Wesleyan Female College, as an educated woman Hayes would advocate for anti-slavery and the welfare of children. Working with others she would also help create a soldiers' orphan house in Ohio.

Sarah Worthington, a nineteenth-century philanthropist, was another historical woman born in Ross County. She was the child of Thomas Worthington, one of Ohio's first senators. Worthington settled in Chillicothe and lived in the Adena Mansion, where Sarah would grow up with her family. Worthington, due to her status, was able to afford luxuries others at that time were not able to afford including private schooling. When Worthington was 16 she married a man named Edward King who had come to Chillicothe to practice law. She would later move with her husband to Cincinnati where she organized several societies focused on the arts. After her husband's death she continued to support local causes and helped to create several convents in Philadelphia and Cincinnati.

Martha Finley was an author born in Chillicothe in 1828 to a Presbyterian minister. Her upbringing in the faith would go on to help inspire her Elsie Dinsmore series of novels which had a total of 28 volumes published over 38 years. She would move from the area to find greater success in her education and career. Despite her death in 1909, her books continue to be popular with readers.

Emma Reynolds was a doctor born in 1862 in Frankfort. In her efforts to become a doctor she was repeatedly denied from schools due to her being an African American but she would eventually become the first African American woman to graduate from the Northwestern University Woman’s Medical School. She would use knowledge to train other nurses and to care for those around her. Even though she moved throughout her life she would eventually return to Ross County where she died in 1917, she was then buried at Davis Cemetery. In 1991 she was also inducted into the Chillicothe-Ross County Women's Hall of Fame.

Modern History Makers

It can be easy to believe that history is done being made, that women have done everything men have done. While women have made great strides throughout history it wasn't until recent history that they made it to high-powered positions in Ross County.

One recent history-maker is Teresa Knott, the first woman to serve as a Commissioner of Ross County. From 1999 to 2005 she helped govern the county. She is not only the first female commissioner, she is also the only female commissioner to serve the county as no other women have been elected to this position after her.

Another first-time history maker in Ross County is Margaret Planton, who was the first, and so far only, female mayor of Chillicothe in 1997. She served till 2003, and before that she was as a city council member and council president. She was first appointed to the position of mayor then later won reelection to continue serving the community until 2003. While Planton was the first of her kind for Chillicothe she said she never set out to be a trailblazer. Instead, she was just following her passions and interests and learning all she could about them.

When appointed Planton said there was a lot of excitement around her becoming mayor but she also had a lot of people questioning if a woman could handle being a mayor. This criticism came from men and women in the community as well as other city leaders.

"A man doesn't get grilled over every comment but I did," said Planton.

While she wanted to prove the doubters wrong she also wanted to help the city so she used her prior knowledge to help her succeed. As a member of the Chillicothe-Ross League of Women Voters she was used to doing in-depth research on a problem when looking for a solution and her time on council gave her an insight into several government departments. All of this helped her to make informed decisions that got projects done.

"I had a lot of experience with government before I became mayor," said Planton.

Planton also enjoyed learning which helped her as she worked in several areas. She enjoyed researching and learning about the new problems she faced and hoped to make the most informed decision possible. She also credits the great team she worked with while mayor for helping her accomplish so much in her time.

Looking back she remembers all the years of work put in towards to state's bicentennial, this includes several beautification efforts in town and the park that can still be seen today. She said she was sad to see the Carlisle Building burn during her last year as mayor and the downturn of downtown but she is happy to see the revitalization that has since happened, bringing businesses and visitors back to the area.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_