History Column

SJI Historical Museum checks in with their History Article for March…

National Women’s History Month and Three Women to Know

March is National Women’s History Month, and March 8 is International Women’s Day, so we thought we would share a glimpse into the lives of three San Juan Island notable women in our history. Each of these women exemplifies this year’s theme: “Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business.”

When the first International Women’s Day was held in 1911, drug store owner Laura Tenney Wright was 47, midwife Laura Baker Perry was 38, and farmer Lizzie Lawson was 31.

Laura Wright handled the financial affairs of Friday Harbor Drug, which she and her husband, Dr. George S. Wright, owned. In a rare interior photograph, Laura is pictured here in her office at the drug store. When pharmacist (and future owner with Albert Nash) Leon Little was away during WWI, Mrs. Wright ran the pharmacy.

Laura Perry and her husband Park once operated the Tourists Hotel, now known as Bird Rock, and in 1922 opened their home on Spring Street as a “maternity hospital” and general recuperating clinic. It was a perfect business for midwife Laura, who became known fondly as “Mother Perry.” This lovely home where many islanders were born is now part of the Spring Street International School campus.

Lizzie Lawson, independent and charming, had always been a farmer. She first managed the large family farm for her father, Peter Lawson. Later, ownership passed on to Lizzie and she saw no need to marry. It is reported that she turned down a neighbor’s marriage proposal by saying, “Why would I want to do that?” The San Juan Historical Society & Museum is grateful for its collection of Lizzie memorabilia, preserved by her niece and our founder Etta Egeland.

With the stories of their lives, and so many other community members, it’s easy to see why historic preservation is important in a community. What island stories from the past do you have to share?

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