When the Women of Spencer Took the Reins

Back in the 1930s, Spencer, Tennessee, was at risk of falling apart—at least in a civic sense.

The town’s mayor had passed away, and there wasn’t a system in place to replace him. No one stepped up, and as time went on, it became clear that the men of Spencer weren’t in any rush to do anything about it.

But the women were.

They weren’t politicians. They were everyday folks—mothers, wives, community members, and, in this case, members of the Better Homes and Garden Club. But when they saw the town floundering, they didn’t hesitate. They went to a lawyer in McMinnville to figure out how to legally hold an election, and once they had their answer, they wasted no time.

Before most of the men in town even realized what had happened, Spencer had an all-female government.

Spencer’s All-Female Government:

• Mayor: Mrs. J.M. Gordon

• City Council: All women

• Recorder: A woman

• Chief of Police: A woman

For most people, this was unheard of. A town completely run by women? Even in major cities, that wasn’t happening. But in Spencer, Tennessee, it did.

When people questioned how it happened, Mrs. Gordon didn’t dance around the truth:

“It was all perfectly legal, and we didn’t deceive anyone. We gave the men plenty of chances to elect an administration, and they didn’t do a thing.”

And just like that, the town of Spencer kept moving forward.

A Different Kind of Leadership

They didn’t just fill the seats—they got to work.

• First, they banned the sale of beer. Whether it was for moral reasons or an effort to clean up the town, they saw it as a necessary step.

• Then, they tackled the town’s finances. Instead of raising taxes, they got creative—holding pie suppers, old fiddlers’ contests, and amateur theatrical performances to bring in money.

• They focused on making Spencer a better place to live, encouraging people to plant flowers and shrubbery to improve the town’s appearance.

They governed the way they saw fit, and for a while, it worked.

Their leadership was so notable that it gained national attention. The New York Times ran a piece on it on March 15, 1942, and Collier’s Magazine followed with an article titled “Women Rule a Cumberland Town” later that year.

But as time went on, the women weren’t re-elected. The town eventually shifted back to a more traditional leadership structure, and the all-female government became a footnote in history—one that most people forgot about.

But history doesn’t disappear just because people stop telling it.

When the past is forgotten, the future becomes uncertain.

And this is a past worth remembering.

Why This Story Matters Now

For decades, stories like this weren’t seen as “real history.” Leadership was expected to look a certain way. If it didn’t, it was either ignored or treated like some kind of curiosity. But the truth is, leadership has always come from those who stepped up—no matter who they were.

And that’s exactly what these women did.

Maybe it shouldn’t be all that surprising, though. Van Buren County already had a history of challenging expectations. Back in 1840, when Burritt College first opened in Spencer, it was one of the first—if not the first—co-educational colleges in the South. At a time when most women weren’t even given the opportunity for higher education, Burritt College was already teaching men and women side by side.

So maybe, when the time came for women to lead, Spencer wasn’t as unprepared as people might think.

Why This Story Doesn’t Surprise Me

I’ve seen older articles that talk about this event with a tone of shock—like it was some strange anomaly that a group of women ran a town. And maybe to some folks back then, it was.

But to me? It’s not surprising at all.

I grew up surrounded by strong women—my granny Maude Ella, my great-great-aunt Dola, and others who were just as tough, just as smart, and just as capable as any man in my family. They worked hard, made decisions, and when they spoke, people listened. They didn’t have to fight for a place at the table—they just took their place because that’s where they belonged.

So when I came across this story about the women of Spencer stepping up and leading when no one else would, my first thought wasn’t, “Can you believe this happened?” It was, “Yeah, of course it did.”

Because to me, that makes sense. I’ve seen that kind of leadership firsthand.

And maybe that’s the real takeaway here—history likes to act like some things are rare, when really, they’ve always been happening. It just depends on who’s telling the story.

Sources:

• TN History for Kids – “Van Buren County History”

• Fall Creek Falls Guide – “The History of Spencer, TN”

• Collier’s Magazine – “Women Rule a Cumberland Town”, November 7, 1942

• The New York Times – March 15, 1942 article on Spencer’s all-female government

About the Author

Justin Alan “Red” Aughinbaugh

Van Buren County Historical and Heritage Museum Board Secretary

Van Buren County Economic Development and Tourism Council: County Historian / Museum Director

Justin “Red” is dedicated to preserving and sharing the untold stories of Van Buren County, ensuring that its history isn’t lost to time. As a historian and museum director, he works to uncover, document, and present the legacy of the people and events that have shaped the community. His passion for local history extends beyond the museum walls, bringing historical narratives to life for future generations—ensuring that the identity and legacy of Van Buren County are never forgotten.

Published on: March 14, 2025