Two years after women in Missouri were finally allowed to vote, the citizens of St. James elected the first female mayor in Missouri. 

Candidate Mayme Ousley grew up in nearby Edgar Springs but moved to St. James after her husband graduated from dental school and set up his practice there.

After the passage of the 19th Amendment women were highly motivated to vote. Ousley won by a slim margin of only eight votes, but scored a huge win for women throughout the state. 

Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W. Brown, broadcaster and Missouri historian. Get your copy at Reedy Press.

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