Chautauqua – “Felice Cohn: Lawyer and Suffragist”

“Made in Nevada”

Felice Cohn, born and reared in Carson City, studied law for several years prior to being admitted to the bar in 1902.  Her first cases were focused on land issues, patenting mining claims, and other mining matters. She practiced in both Goldfield and Carson City. In May, 1908, she was admitted to the District Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

Felice became involved in suffrage rights for women in 1911. She was one of the founding members of the State Equal Franchise Society and chaired the legislative committee during the 1911 legislative session. Felice was involved in chartering a Non-Militant Suffrage Society and the Nevada Voter’s Club, both with members numbering in the hundreds. Parades and demonstrations were then considered militant.

Opening a law office in Reno in 1922, she was consistently involved in the legal profession as a persistent and quiet voice shaping and supporting issues to better the quality of life for women and children. She was involved in numerous professional organizations.

Dorothea Phelan has been an historian, living history performer and storyteller for over twenty-eight years. Phelan was born and raised in Yerington, Nevada, where she acted in theatricals and school plays. As an adult, she coached children’s plays and dramas. In 1962 Phelan moved to Ventura, California where she became active with the Rancho Camulos Museum, developing living history programs. She has now returned to Nevada and volunteers at the Nevada State Museum and performs Chautauqua locally.

Cost: Free

The Ranch House will be open 11 am – 1 pm for event guests.