Monday, November 24, 2008

The California Remarkable Women Trail

This beautiful photograph of a mantilla and combs from Santa Clara City Library’s collection is one of two contributed to the entry on Concepcion Marcela Arguello in this new online museum available at the California Museum's website. The idea of California First Lady Maria Shriver, the California Remarkable Women Trail, features 15 Californian icons and trailblazers, such as Concepcion Arguello, Amy Tan, Ray Eames, and Dolores Huerta. Each of these passionate, pioneering women have inspired generations of Californians and influenced millions across the state and around the world.

In the early history books of California, you will learn that Concepcion Arguello had a famous father and that she was involved in a romantic and tragic love story. Read Gertrude Atherton's book: Rezanov and Dona Concha. She was also an accomplished woman in her own right. She was an ancestor of Austen Warburton, a lawyer, civic leader and art patron of Santa Clara (1917-1995), who contributed many personal artifacts to the Santa Clara Historic Museum at the Headen-Inman House, including her mantilla and combs.In the video section of Concepcion Arguello's entry in The California Remarkable Women Trail, watch for the image of the crucifix. That was also contributed to the project by Santa Clara City Library.

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