Helen Ring Robinson

Helen Ring Robinson
Colorado State Senator, Suffragist
1860 - 1923
INDUCTED 2014

Helen Ring Robinson was the first woman elected to the Colorado State Senate, in 1912. She was the second woman elected to any state senate in the nation.

Helen Ring came to Colorado Springs to teach English at Colorado College in 1893. She soon moved to and taught in Denver. Marrying attorney Ewing Robinson in 1902 made her able to travel and campaign. Serving from 1913 to 1916, she worked for social and economic justice. She was a champion of women, children, workers’ rights, public education and a minimum salary for teachers during a tumultuous time in the country’s history. Robinson was a sought-after speaker and writer. She inspired without alienating and defended Colorado women’s suffrage.

Men and women together enact better laws than either can do alone. Together – that’s the great word!” — Helen Ring Robinson