As Colorado entered the 20th century, technology became more advanced, buildings grew higher, and Colorado’s economy prospered, bouncing back after the panic of 1893. As the century progressed, however, the Great Depression and the two World Wars would greatly affect the lives of Coloradans.
By the second half of the century, Colorado entered an age of modernization, led by Federico Peña, Patricia Schroeder, and others. 20th Century Colorado also produced several well-known entertainers, such as actors Harold Lloyd, Douglas Fairbanks, and Hattie McDaniel; and musicians Glenn Miller and Judy Collins.
At the same time, men and women like Josephine Roche, Florence Rena Sabin, and Rudolfo “Corky” Gonzales fought for better lives for all Coloradans.
When: 1887 – 1950 Where: Denver, Colorado and Southern Colorado Why Important: Governor who supported the rights of Japanese Americans during World War II Biography Ralph Carr was born in 1887. His father was a miner, and the family moved around to several Colorado towns, including Aspen and Cripple Creek. After graduating from Cripple Creek High School […]
When: 1928-2005 Where: Denver and Brighton Why Important: Gonzales was a boxer, writer, and Chicano activist. Biography Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales was born on June 18, 1928. According to his article on Wikipedia, Rodolfo had a fiery personality in his youth, causing his uncle to say that “he was always popping off like a cork” – the nickname, […]
When: 1895 – 1952 Where: Denver Why Important: First African American woman to win an Academy Award Biography Film actress Hattie McDaniel was the first African American to win an Oscar, for her supporting role as Mammy in the 1939 film Gone with the Wind. She grew up in Denver, Colorado, the youngest daughter of Susan Holbert and […]
When: 1891-1987 Where: Denver, CO Why Important: Ferretti was a female entrepreneur in the early twentieth century. She established a successful millinery business. By the 1940s, Ferretti was a nationally known hatmaker. Biography Kate Ferretti was born on January 3, 1891 in Denver, Colorado. She was born with the name Henrietta Malnati. Her older brother, Carl, told […]
When: early-1900s Where: Denver, CO Why Important: John Valentine founded the Florists’ Telegraph Delivery Association (FTD) in 1910 so people could deliver flowers all across the country. Biography John Valentine lived in Denver. He started and owned the Park Floral Company. Valentine wanted to help the floral industry to expand. He believed that florists needed to unite. Valentine […]
When: 1940-Present Where: Portland, OR, Denver, CO Why Important: Colorado’s first woman Congressperson Biography Patricia Nell Scott Schroeder was a congresswoman from 1972 to 1996. She represented the First Congressional District of Colorado, and she was a Democrat. She went to college at the University of Minnesota. After she graduated, she went to Harvard Law School. She […]