Since 1935, New Mexico has recognized the history of our state by erecting brown, log-hewn roadside markers informing passersby of the people, geological features and historical events that have shaped the state.
In the late 1990s, three New Mexico women realized only one of the more than 500 markers was in recognition of a woman. Determined to honor the remarkable women who are an integral part of our state’s history, Patricia French, Beverly Duran and Alexis Girard established the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative.
As members of the New Mexico chapter of the International Women’s Forum—an organization that advocates for women in leadership positions— they decided to act. In 2005, they met with then- Gov. Bill Richardson, his wife, Barbara, and then-New Mexico Department of Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught to advocate for the program.
During International Women’s Day on March 8, 2006, Richardson signed legislation appropriating $330,000 to create and install 64 historic markers recognizing notable New Mexico women. Additional funds were allocated in 2015.
Today, of the more than 650 markers, almost 100 are devoted to memorializing the courageous women who shaped New Mexico and its culture.
“Only deceased women of historical significance are honored with a marker,” says Celia Foy Castillo, a member of the International Women’s Forum-New Mexico Marker Steering Committee and former Court of Appeals Judge. “Women were nominated by the counties— often with public input—and by tribal governments.”
Chaired by Pat French, the selection committee was comprised of Department of Transportation representatives, the New Mexico Association of Counties, the New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women, the Historic Preservation Division of the Cultural Affairs Department, the New Mexico Chapter of the Women’s Forum and members of the public.
“They represented the widest multicultural diversity of New Mexico and included women from our pueblos, tribes and the Navajo Nation,” Celia says. “As a result, there is at least one marker in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties.”
While the signs themselves are limited by space for the information they contain, the Woman’s International Forum website, www.nmwomensforum.org, includes a lengthy history of each woman honored with a marker and a photo , if one exists.
Celia says the placement, building, installation and maintenance of the signs is the responsibility of the New Mexico Department of Transportation.
Not all markers are along New Mexico highways. The markers for Justices Mary Coon Walters and Pamela B. Minzner are on the campus of the University of New Mexico.
Additional funds were allocated in 2022 by the New Mexico Legislature to expand recognition of the women honored in the marker program.
Using background information compiled about each nominee, the New Mexico chapter of the International Woman’s Forum is developing material to further educate the public about the histories of the women honored in the marker program.
The program will include permanent and traveling displays, a speaker’s bureau, and lesson plans for use in middle and high school programs.
“We want to continue to inspire and empower new generations of women and to educate everyone who travel our roads about the contributions women made in the history of our state,” Celia says.