Grace Espy Patton

Grace Espy Patton (after marriage, Patton-Cowles; 1896–1904) was an American educator, writer, suffragist, and state superintendent of schools. Born in Pennsylvania, she moved to Colorado during childhood, where she made her career as a professor and public official. Patton taught modern languages at the Colorado Agricultural College (now Colorado State University) and founded the Tourney, a literary magazine. She became widely known as the first woman to serve as Colorado's State Superintendent of Public Instruction (1897–1898), a role that made her the only woman in the United States to hold such a position at the time, as well as the ex officio state librarian. Patton was active in Democratic politics and the women's suffrage movement, wrote both fiction and political pieces, and participated in national conventions as a lecturer and delegate. After her marriage to Warren Hayden Cowles, she engaged in Red Cross relief work during the Spanish-American War and traveled internationally before her death in Montana in 1904.

Early life and education Grace Espy (sometimes misspelled, "Espey") Patton was born in Hartstown, Pennsylvania on October 5, 1866.

In Fort Collins, she grew to adulthood and received her education. After her high school course, where she was graduated in 1885 with the highest honors and the degree of Bachelor of Science. devoted to sociology that was read throughout the U.S. Changes in name, management, scope, and publishing city were announced in November. Patton would continue to serve as editor of The Colorado Woman, published in Denver, but Mary C. C. Bradford was added as the associate editor in charge of the Club department. With a focus on women's interests and women's club work, the best literary talent in the state was to be represented in the new periodical's columns, with the first issue due out on December 15, 1894. The periodical's new sponsor was the Colorado State Equal Suffrage League (CSESL), an organization that only existed for two years.

In 1895, Patton became president of the Colorado Women's Democratic Club. When women were made citizens of Colorado, Patton allied herself with the Democratic party. Her oratorical talents were of great service to her party, and her keen sense of humor insured her a cordial reception wherever she appeared.

In January 1897, Patton assumed the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, which she held even after marriage. The department of public instruction in Colorado carried with it many diverse duties. Her experience helped her to make her administration of great help to the school interests of the state. The establishment of school libraries, the extension of the kindergarten system and the general introduction of manual training received special attention. It was the first time Patton had ever delivered a speech outside of her State. She was supposed to talk on the "New Education", but declined to do so, owing to the limited time at her disposal. Instead, she gave another, stirring speech.

Mrs. Cowles

In April 1898, in Chicago, she married Warren Hayden Cowles, of the U.S. Army, though the friendship between the two had originated long before in the Agricultural College, where both were instructors. Following her marriage, Patton wrote and spoke frequently, being in demand at national women's conventions and recognized as one of the leaders among women for many reforms of her era. Soon after the outbreak of the war, Patton was in the head office of the Red Cross Society in New York City. She was eager to take an active hand in helping the wounded soldiers who were them commencing the Cuban campaign. Her request to that effect was granted, and she was soon at the scene of the battle. She remained in Cuba for two months, assisting the sick and wounded in the different camps, returning to the U.S. in June 1899.

The regiment returned with Captain Cowles safe, but before he could be joined by Patton, the troops were ordered to Manila, and Patton reached Chicago again only in time to say good-by to her departing husband on the train.

Later, Patton accompanied her husband to the Philippines, where she planned to write a few press letters on life among the army women of Manila. They returned to the U.S. in 1903 in order for Patton to be hospitalized and treated in Denver for "nervous troubles".

Death and legacy Patton left for northern Montana in June 1904, the couple made a trip to the Philippines.

The Grace Espy Patten Cowles Collection, 1863-1935 is held by Stephen H. Hart Library & Research Center at the History Colorado Center.

Selected works Novels The Chalchihuitl (1896)

Literary journals Tourney (1894-)