Cora Reynolds Anderson Born in L’Anse

A Pioneer in Michigan’s Political and Social Landscape

Cora Reynolds Anderson’s was born in L’Anse on April 10, 1882. Her journey from the remote Upper Peninsula to the Michigan House of Representatives marked a monumental shift in Michigan’s political landscape. Anderson grew up within a rich tapestry of English, French, and Chippewa heritage. Her upbringing would deeply influence her advocacy for public health and social justice. She was among the few women and Native Americans who pursued an education during her time. She eventual earned a teaching diploma at the Haskell Institute in Kansas. Anderson’s educational foundation shaped her life’s work and helped to elevate her community in times of profound social change.

Early Career

Anderson’s early career focused on education and public health. After teaching at the Zeba Mission School, she championed Baraga County’s first health services. She played a pivotal role in securing the region’s first public health nurse. Her commitment to improving public health and social welfare laid the groundwork for her later political journey. In 1924, Anderson made history when she became the first Native American and the first woman to serve in Michigan’s House of Representatives. She represented the Iron District in the Upper Peninsula.

Her time in office was marked by her advocacy on key issues. She was a champion for improving healthcare and the dangers of tuberculosis and alcoholism. She was a staunch supporter of Native American fishing rights. Anderson was the chair of the Committee on the Industrial School for Girls. She worked tirelessly to ensure that her constituents’ needs were met, focusing on community welfare, education, and health.

Cora’s Impact Continues

While her political career ended in 1926 due to redistricting, Anderson’s impact on Michigan’s civic life did not. She continued her advocacy in public health and education, working with the Michigan Grange and serving as a representative at the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Tidewater Congress. Her contributions were later honored when the Anderson House Office Building was named after her in 2000, and she was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 2001.

In 2022, her legacy was further commemorated with the naming of the Baraga County post office after her. Cora Reynolds Anderson’s life and career continue to inspire, reminding us of the power of public service, resilience, and dedication to community. Her pioneering role in Michigan’s history serves as a shining example of how leaders from diverse backgrounds can make a lasting difference in their communities.

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.