Recognition for Proclamation of November 1 as Electa Quinney Day

Bowler, WI, October 14, 2019 --(PR.com)-- The Stockbridge-Munsee Community is excited to have one of its members honored with the proclamation of November 1 as Electa Quinney Day in Wisconsin. They would like to thank Senator Robert Cowles for his leadership and the Senate for recognizing Electa Quinney’s contributions to education in Wisconsin as a fitting start to National Native American Heritage Month in Wisconsin.

Electa Quinney was the first female teacher and the first public school teacher in Wisconsin. She taught in a school that was open to Native American as well as children of nearby European settlers and missionaries. This school was the first public school in Wisconsin as it was open to students of all backgrounds and did not charge students an enrollment fee.

Electa “Wuhwehweeheemeew” Quinney, 1802-1885, was born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts and educated in boarding schools in New York and Connecticut. When the Stockbridge-Munsee Community was removed to a reservation in Wisconsin, she left a teaching position in New York to move with the Tribe. In 1828, shortly after she arrived in Wisconsin, she began teaching in Wisconsin. She taught in a one-room school located by what is now Kaukauna teaching 40-50 students at a time.

In keeping with the tradition exemplified by Electa Quinney, the Stockbridge-Munsee Community values and supports education as well as the contributions of teachers. They encourage all people to recognize not only the individual contribution made by Electa Quinney, a Native American public-school teacher, but also the spirit of inclusiveness that she brought to education in Wisconsin on November 1. Strong public schools create strong communities that benefit all Wisconsin citizens.

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