Celebrating the Women Who Shaped New Mexico
Some of the most important stories in New Mexico history haven't always been the ones most visibly told.
That's one of the many reasons Jennifer Wilson is proud to support the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program, an organization dedicated to recognizing the women whose courage, work, creativity and leadership helped shape our state.
Making Women's History Visible
For decades, New Mexico's familiar roadside historic markers told stories about the people, places and events that shaped our state. But remarkably few told the stories of women. The New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program grew from an effort launched in 2005 to change that.
Through historic roadside markers located throughout New Mexico, the program brings visibility to women from remarkably diverse backgrounds: artists, educators, entrepreneurs, activists, scientists, healers, political leaders, cultural preservationists, community builders and women whose contributions might otherwise have remained largely unknown. Today, their work extends far beyond the markers themselves. Research, exhibits, educational programs, community events and a statewide K–12 curriculum are helping introduce a new generation of New Mexicans to the women who came before them. And encourages young people to consider the mark they may someday leave themselves.
Why This Mission Matters To Jennifer
After more than 3 decades working in Albuquerque real estate, Jennifer has come to believe that understanding a place means understanding more than its homes and neighborhoods. It means knowing its stories. The history of New Mexico is extraordinarily rich, complex and multicultural, and women have been central to building the communities, businesses, institutions, traditions and families that define our state. Many of those contributions happened without much recognition. Jennifer finds the mission of the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program particularly meaningful because it isn't simply preserving history. It is making sure more of that history is visible and using those stories to inspire the people who will shape New Mexico next.
History That Belongs to All of Us
One of Jennifer’s favorite things about New Mexico is how often the past and present live alongside one another. We see it in our architecture, our neighborhoods, our art, our food, our languages and traditions. And in the generations of people who have chosen to make their lives here. The women recognized through the Historic Women Marker Program are part of that story. Some are famous. Others quietly changed a school, a community, a profession or a generation. All of them remind us that history isn't only made by the people whose names everyone knows.
Sometimes it is made by someone who simply decided that something could be better. And then did the work to change it.
Discover Their Stories
Jennifer encourages you to explore the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program, discover the women represented throughout our state, and learn more about its educational and community programs. And for fellow New Mexico professionals and businesses looking for meaningful ways to support our community, the program offers opportunities to become involved and help bring greater visibility to the women whose stories deserve to be told.
Their history is New Mexico's history. And preserving it helps shape our future.