This year, I visited the Nevada State Museum for the first time with my Hug High School journalism class, where we discovered Nevada’s rich history through different exhibits, including one exhibit titled “Ahead of Her Time.”
This exhibit featured remarkable women; among the remarkable women featured was Felice Cohn, a dedicated lawyer, activist, and leader whose determination and ambition helped shape Nevada’s future. Learning about her life and accomplishments made it clear why she is recognized as one of the most inspiring women in Nevada’s history.
Felice Cohn was born in 1878 in Carson City, Nevada. She was raised in an era where women had very limited opportunities to pursue professional careers, especially in the legal and political fields. Despite these obstacles, Cohn continued her studies and went to the University of Nevada, Reno before earning her degree from Stanford University. She made history as one of the first female lawyers in Nevada when she was admitted as one of the first women to the Nevada Bar in 1902.
Later on, she was one of the first women to be permitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, which was a very extremely rare accomplishment for women at the time. Cohn’s willingness to defy expectations was what most impressed me about her.
In the early 1900s, a lot of society thought that women should solely prioritize their families and homes. Women frequently encountered discrimination when attempting to pursue careers in business, government, and law, which were traditionally seen as only male-dominated occupations. Instead of embracing those ideas, Cohn worked hard to demonstrate that women were equally just as competent as males. Her intelligence, confidence, perseverance, and strong work ethic helped her succeed in a profession where very few women were welcomed and proved herself in a male-dominated field.
Amongst Cohn’s most important accomplishments was her active involvement in the women’s suffrage movement, where she played a significant role in advocating for women’s voting rights. She helped establish the State Equal Franchise Society and utilized her legal knowledge to help advance the fight for women’s voting rights.
Cohn collaborated with other activists to persuade voters and legislators that women should have an equal voice in politics. Six years before the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote nationwide, their efforts paid off when Nevada women were granted the right to vote in 1914. Cohn’s impact did not stop there. Throughout her life, she worked to improve laws that affected women and children.
Cohn supported groups that promoted women to seek professional jobs, adoption reforms, and child welfare programs. She also contributed to the development of opportunities for women to assume leadership roles in their communities. She spent a large portion of her life assisting others and paving the way for future generations instead of using her success only for herself. Many women now pursue positions in leadership, business, politics, and law without considering if they belong there. That wasn’t always the case, though.
Felice Cohn and other pioneers made those opportunities attainable. By breaking barriers and refusing to let society define her future, she showed that determination and courage can create lasting change. Her story is empowering because it reminds us that one person can challenge unfair expectations and inspire others to do the same.
Learning about Felice Cohn left me thinking about how important it is to acknowledge women in history and museums. Even though their efforts shaped today’s society, their stories frequently go unnoticed. Visitors can learn about individuals whose achievements continue to inspire future generations through exhibits like “Ahead of Her Time.” Felice Cohn’s legacy, more than a century later, is a powerful reminder that progress is possible when people are willing to stand up for what they believe in.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the Nevada State Museum for providing us with the chance to learn about Nevada’s past. I will cherish this experience because it was my first visit to the museum. I was able to learn about amazing people like Felice Cohn and have a greater respect for the people who shaped our state, by exploring the exhibits. Thank you for keeping these significant stories alive and bringing history to life for students like me.
Sources
Felice Cohn (Nevada Women’s History Project)
Felice Cohn (Jewish Women’s Archive)
Photo credit: Main image by Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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