The Women Who Built Omaha: A Bold and Remarkable History

by Eileen Wirth

2023 Nebraska Book Award

During the 1930s the Federal Writers’ Project described Omaha as a “man’s town,” and histories of the city have all but ignored women. However, women have played major roles in education, health, culture, social services, and other fields since the city’s founding in 1854. In The Women Who Built Omaha Eileen Wirth tells the stories of groundbreaking women who built Omaha, including Susette “Bright Eyes” LaFlesche, who translated at the trial of Chief Standing Bear; Mildred Brown, an African American newspaper publisher; Sarah Joslyn, who personally paid for Joslyn Art Museum; Mrs. B of Nebraska Furniture Mart; and the Sisters of Mercy, who started Omaha’s Catholic schools. Omaha women have been champion athletes and suffragists as well as madams and bootleggers. They transformed the city’s parks, co-founded Creighton University, helped run Boys Town, and so much more, in ways that continue today.

Genres: History

234 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2022

Reviews

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant work. As a new resident of Omaha, this anchored me to the history.

Well written and well researched.

[Shannyn McEntee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could get into the nuances about what I liked and disliked about this book but I'd rather keep it short and sweet.

The good: Interesting information, I felt like I learned something

The bad: It felt like I was reading a Wikipedia page, the storytelling was lackluster, and some sections I felt like were overly focused on the men involved.

[Susan Baron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might have a limited audience since it is about the women who built Omaha, but it deserves attention from everyone who thinks that only men made the difference in building our cities and country. While men got the attention because they made the money (by keeping women out of lucrative professions) it was their widows (at least in Omaha) who contributed the money to the world acclaimed Henry Doorly Zoo, Joslyn Art Museum, Creighton University and many more institutions that we take for granted were started by men.
Professor emeritus of journalism at Creighton University, has written a well-researched history of these women that will keep you turning the page to find out more. She writes not sparing male egos or aggrandizing women's roles.

[Theresa Jehlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well-researched and very readable book tells the Omaha women's history that's been largely ignored. Creighton University, the Joslyn Art Museum, and the Henry Doorly Zoo wouldn't exist today if not for funding and/or advocacy by largely unsung Omaha women. The book is organized both by time period and areas that women specialized in such as the arts, social services, business, and government among others. The author's background as a reporter results in writing that is direct and to the point. Historical snippets about the various women (e.g. Sarah Joslyn was never a part of Omaha's "In Crowd") add interest and depth to the book.

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

"...Kate McHugh was named the first woman principal of Omaha High in 1911...She was a profound scholar, an authority on Shakespeare and the first woman principal of a high school in Omaha. Miss McHugh did more for Omaha...than others who have their names used in the dedication of new schools." She was also apparently forced to retire three years later for reasons that seem to be unknown. This was just one of the interesting pieces of history covered in the book. It isn't the most well-crafted book, but it is sourced well and I learned a lot about Omaha.

[Darlene Golbitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well researched and documented account of the women who influenced the growth and advancement of Omaha over 160 years. Their history and anecdotes proved interesting!

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book about strong, determined women. It probably would only be interesting to those who lived in the Omaha area. Well written.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating short book on the impact women had in Omaha. It’s a good read but very short and not enough space was given to women of color.