Helen Ring Robinson

Helen Ring Robinson (1878–1923), was an American suffragist, writer, and political office holder. She was the first She was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2014.

Early life Helen Ring Robinson was born in 1878 in Eastport, Maine. She grew up in New England and went to Wellesley College, a private women's liberal arts college in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Career Educator Robinson moved to Denver in 1895 and taught at Wolfe Hall until 1898, when she went to teach at the Wolcott School for Girls. It was established by a friend who also lived in Providence. It was during her time at Wolcott that she became acquainted with members of Denver society.

Journalist She then began working in the newspaper industry. She spent ten years as a literary critic and editorial writer for the Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Times. Helen was an early member of the Denver Woman's Press Club.

Politics After leading a crusade against Denver's poor water service, she was recruited to run for office. She was elected to the Colorado Senate for one four-year term in 1912, and took office in 1913. While in office, she was appointed chair of the Colorado State Senate Education Committee.

Among the progressive laws she passed were a minimum wage law for women and an abatement for property used for prostitution – both efforts to limit prostitution. Women were not allowed to serve on juries at that time, although women had received the vote in Colorado in 1893. All of Robinson's bills on this issue failed. Consequently, women could not serve on juries in the state until 1944.

Personal life She died in 1923. Her body lay in state in the Capitol rotunda before her service. She was buried at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver.