Grayson County Historical Women
March is Women's History Month and the Texoma area is full of women who have contributed to local, regional and national history. We've taken the opportunity to highlight just a few of the prominent women in Grayson County history and hope their stories serve as inspiration to others.
Denison Temperance Union
"moderation in all things healthful; total abstinence from all things harmful"
Mary Elizabeth Lease, bottom right, and Sarah Cooke Acheson Were both involved in the Denison Temperance Union, pictured at top. The drinking fountain on the bottom left was erected in memory of Sarah Cooke Acheson who was state president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.
Sophia Coffee
Photograph of Sophia Coffee that was on display at the Sherman Museum in 1979. Also pictured is a marble top dresser that was part of the furniture at Glen Eden located north of Pottsboro. The two story mansion overlooked the Red River until Lake Texoma was built in the 1940's
July 8, 1979 clipping from the Sherman Democrat.
Olive Ann Oatman
Olive Ann Oatman was kidnapped by Tonto Indians in 1851 and eventually sold to the Mojave tribe as a slave.
Eloise Munson
Eloise Munson. From 1936 to 1955, Munson served as president and general manager of Munson Realty Company and president of the Denison Cotton Mill. The Cotton Mill was one of the largest employers in Denison for many years. Miss Munson was a director of the Citizens National Bank from 1936 until her death in 1969. Munson
Hand drawn sketch of Edna Gladney. Gladney was heavily involved in the care of foster children. Her influence extended beyond her own office in securing legislation and social reform; she was able, in a long fought battle with the state legislature to get the word "illegitimate" removed from Texas birth certificates.
