Sally
Brownson of Richmond became postmaster on this day in 1824. She
was the first woman postmaster in Vermont. In fact, it would be
another 25 years before any other woman would follow in her footsteps.
Sally
Brownson acquired the position from her husband Thomas, a practice
that became common in Vermont. Many women took over for their husbands
or fathers when they had become too busy or had passed on.
By
the 1880s, women as postmasters became commonplace. By the 1930s,
over 40 percent of Vermont's postmasters were women, more
than twice the national average.
The Vermont Book Of Days photo.
June Archives | June 20 |

Richmond Town Center sign, including
the sign for the post office.
|