Civil Rights
The ongoing fight for civil rights was in full swing in Colorado during the latter half of the 20th century. While African Americans struggled to end segregation, racial violence and prejudice, they were not alone in their battle against discrimination. In Colorado, Hispanics, Native Americans and women also fought passionately for their equal rights. In 1893, Colorado grants women the right to vote, but women continued to struggle in the political world. Relentless determination by Eudochia Bell Smith and Margaret “Molly” Brown and others eventually gave women more political and economic equality within the state. At the same time women were gaining more political power, however, Hispanics and African Americans continued to struggle with racial segregation in almost every aspect of social life including school, housing and healthcare. Similarly, Native American tribes continued to face prejudice and were unrepresented politically. For years, groups such as the Anti-Defamation league and Colorado Springs Unity Council waged personal battles for their deserved civil rights by demonstrating, protesting and advocating political and social change. Today, the stories of these efforts are told at sites such as the Barney Ford House in Breckenridge, the Black American West Museum and its surrounding neighborhood in Denver and the story of the Buffalo Soldiers is told at Fort Garland in the San Luis Valley.