Ruth B. Hipple
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Ruth B. Hipple (1873-1962) was an American suffragist.
Early life
Ruth Hipple was born Ruth Bowman in May 1873.[1] In 1878 Hipple's family moved from Black River Falls, Wisconsin to the Dakota Territory.[1] The family settled near Ashton two years later.[2]
Career
Hipple learned shorthand and worked as a stenographer at the South Dakota state capital.[1] She married state auditor John Elmer Hipple in 1896.[1]
Hipple was an active proponent of women's suffrage.[2] In support of the suffrage movement, Hipple worked as an auditor and press secretary.[2] She was a member of the South Dakota Universal Franchise League's Legislative Committee in 1912.[1][3]: 588 Starting in 1913, Hipple was an editor for the South Dakota Messenger, a publication for suffragists.[2][3]: 585 Hipple and her husband frequently opened their home to suffragists traveling to Pierre.[2][4]
For six months after the United States entered World War I, Hipple worked for the Red Cross and served on the executive committee for Pierre's Red Cross.[1] Hipple's residence in Pierre and her political connections allowed her to provide information to suffragists in South Dakota. Hipple received advance notice from Governor Peter Norbeck that he was considering adding a special session for the legislature.[1] Hipple passed that information along to South Dakota Franchise League's president Mamie Shields Pyle.[1]
Hipple started the local chapter of the Girl Scouts in Pierre.[2]
Death and legacy
Hipple died on May 25, 1962.[1] Hipple's home has become a landmark operated by the National Park Service.[2][4]