Spring 2023 El Palacio Magazine features the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program, recognizing women in New Mexico history

March 6th, 2023

Santa Fe, NM- The spring edition of El Palacio magazine highlights the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program. Through roadside markers across the state, the program tells the stories of women who helped shape New Mexico including artists, activists, educators, entrepreneurs, lawyers, healers, politicians, grandmothers, visionaries, thinkers, and leaders. The Spring 2023 issue of El Palacio magazine, the official publication of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, has been shipped and is currently live at www.elpalacio.org.    

The New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program was brought to life by the International Women’s Forum of New Mexico (IWF-NM). Through their dedication to telling the stories of New Mexico’s women there are now more than 100 women honored through highway markers across the state. Markers celebrate women such as Lozen, an Apache warrior and medicine woman who fought by the side of Geronimo; Sally Rooke, a telephone switchboard operator who died at her post while warning others about the 1908 Dry Cimarrón Flood; and the Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890, who picketed for striking miners who were forbidden from doing so, inspiring the documentary Salt of the Earth.  

While the markers serve as a physical reminder of past accomplishments, the larger goal is to inspire future generations by preserving and widely sharing the stories of these remarkable women. Learn more about the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program at their recently revamped website www.nmhistoricwomen.org. 

In honor of International Women’s Day, IWF-NM will hold a public celebration of the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program in the Capitol Rotunda in Santa Fe Wednesday, March 8, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Featuring remarks from New Mexico Governor Lujan Grisham, legislators, other guest speakers representing the Historic Women Marker Program, and informational displays, the event will showcase how this women-focused program is helping to educate, inspire, and empower people by celebrating the unique contributions of New Mexico women, past, present, and future. 

“The day will be a celebration, but with a focus on appreciation,” says Cathy Allen, President of the IWF-NM, an international women’s organization comprised of 7,000 diverse and accomplished women leaders from 33 nations on six continents. “We want to take this opportunity to update and thank the Governor, legislators, and departments that have been so instrumental in the success of the program. We are also just thrilled to demonstrate for everyone the power of this program and how far it has progressed.” 

 About El Palacio 

El Palacio was first published in 1913, one year after New Mexico reached statehood. The name of the magazine — “the palace” — refers to the Palace of the Governors, the first museum in what historically is referred to as the Museum of New Mexico, established in 1909, eventually reorganized under the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. El Palacio covers art, culture, and history of the Southwest, with emphasis on the exhibitions, research, and programs of the state museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions of New Mexico.