Unflinching. Indefatigable. Creative. Courageous. Supportive. Bold. Defiant. Driven.

Steuben County has seen a number of remarkable women over the years do great things, both those who were born here, and those who achieved acclaim here. It seems only fitting to recognize some of the fascinating accomplishments from the past and present that have shaped, and that continue to shape, the world around us both locally and across the globe.

Just a Few Remarkable Women:

• Narcissa Prentiss Whitman (pioneer and missionary)
• Blanche Stuart Scott (America’s first female pilot)
• Ruth Law (first pilot, male or female, to do the loop-the-loop)
• Ruth Viola Davis (first woman to parachute from an open-cockpit plane)
• Meaghan Frank (4th generation winemaker carrying on the legacy of Dr. Konstantin Frank)
• Sophronia Houghton (primary investor in Brooklyn Flint Glass)
• Rodi Rovner (founder of hands-on glassmaking workshops in Corning)
• Cat Burns (celebrity glass artist who competed on Netflix’s Blown Away)
• Helen Tegeler (glass artist at the world renowned Corning Museum of Glass)
• Catherine Ayers (glass artist at the world renowned Corning Museum of Glass)

Flight and Early Aviatrixes

Blanche Stuart Scott

“There is the world-old controversy that crops up again whenever women attempt to enter a new field,” stated Blanche Stuart Scott, America’s first female pilot. “Is woman fitted for this or that work? It would seem that a woman’s success in any particular line would prove her fitness for that work, without regard to theories to the contrary.” (excerpt from Claudia M. Oakes’ “United States Women in Aviation Through World War I”)

Born in nearby Rochester, NY, Blanche Stuart Scott was the first female pilot in the U.S. and the only female trained personally by Glenn H. Curtiss. Self-proclaimed “Tomboy of the Air,” Scott was very popular for her act which was called “nerve-tingling, spine-chilling, and thrill-producing.”

It seems Scott was the second woman to drive across country and the publicity she received for that feat “led to a contract for her to learn to fly with the newly created Glenn Curtiss Exhibition Company. In August and September of 1910, she took to the air in Hammondsport, NY.”

A daredevil, Scott became “the first woman test pilot in America” and “the nation’s first woman stunt pilot” (National Women’s Hall of Fame). She is also the first American women to fly a jet.

When her flying days were behind, Scott settled down in Hornell where she broadcasted for WLEA radio. In 1980, a special U.S. Airmail Stamp was created in her honor.

In the photo above she’s on a Curtiss pusher in a field in Hammondsport in the early 1900s. You can learn about Blanche Stuart Scott and other early female aviators in the book Flying High Pioneer Women in American Aviation penned by local historian, Kirk W. House, and Charles R. Mitchell. There’s also a display of that name at the Curtiss Museum paying tribute to these early aviatrixes.

“In 1911, Blanche became the first woman to make a long distance flight. While flying for the Glenn L. Martin Co. she became the first female stunt pilot in 1911 and the first female test pilot in the United States in 1912” (Curtiss Museum, Teaching the World to Fly).

You can learn more about Blanche Stuart Scott at the Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport.

Ruth Law

Another aviatrix who was not born in Steuben, but whose greatest feat happened here was Ruth Law. “At age 21, Ruth Law bought her first airplane from Orville Wright, who refused to train her since he believed women did not have the mechanical aptitude for flight.” Law looked elsewhere for guidance, received her pilot’s license in 1912 and immediately began experimenting with what an airplane could do.

Just three years later, at the age of 27, Law is reported to have been the first pilot (male or female) to do the looping-the-loop. Sounds like she had quite a bit of aptitude (not to mention altitude). The following year, she became the first female pilot to set an American distance record and the World’s Women’s Distance Record flying 590 miles from Chicago, IL to Hornell, NY as part of her trek to New York City.

Admiral Robert Peary said of her long-distance flight, “Miss Law’s splendid accomplishment has shone so that the whole world may read what a woman can do.”

As a result of her flight, Law set three new records: “the American nonstop cross-country record, the world nonstop cross-country record for women, and the second best world nonstop cross-country record.” After she reached Hornell, she refuel and took to the sky again heading east. She landed and spent the night in Binghamton before continuing on in the morning. Accounts claim that she failed to refuel in Binghamton which caused some challenges as she neared Manhattan. “To reach Governor’s Island, she had to bank the airplane several times to get the fuel from the tank to the carburetors.” — (Claudia M. Oakes “United States Women in Aviation Through World War I,” p39)

“On Nov. 19, 1916, Ruth Law fearlessly glided her Curtiss Airplane into the Hornell Fair Grounds, breaking the longest distance aerial record in America and the longest distance flight for any woman in the world — from Chicago, Ill. to Hornell, N.Y.”  — Chris Potter, Evening Tribune

Women of Wine

Meaghan Frank

While the Finger Lakes has spent over 150 becoming a world-class wine destination, most of the people who have gained notoriety over that time have been men. Meaghan Frank’s great-grandfather, Dr. Konstantin Frank, revolutionized winemaking in the entire northeastern United States, not just in the Finger Lakes, and Meaghan is the latest member of her family to put her stamp on the acclaimed winery.

After hearing at nearly every turn that fine European-style wines couldn’t be made here because Vinifera grapes couldn’t be grown, Dr. Frank took matters into his own hands and changed the history of winemaking in the Eastern United States. That same persistence and unwillingness to settle has driven Meaghan (4th generation) to learn as much about winemaking as possible, acquiring advanced degrees from the best programs in the world. For her and her father, each new vintage is a test – one at which they feel compelled to excel.

“There’s a lot on the line,” says Meaghan. “Everything has a higher meaning when you work to honor those who came before you and those to come.”

You can find Meaghan’s influence at the winery in many forms, like the first  exclusive sit-down pairings offered in the Finger Lakes called 1886 Reserve Tastings, which have been voted the “Top Winery Tour” in America (USA Today’s 10Best, 2022, 2023, 2024). You might even have the good fortune of having Meaghan leading a tour through the vineyard during one of these popular seasonal experiences.

Meaghan also started a single vineyard series of wines named after the women in her family, as an homage to their often unnoticed, yet important roles. The four wines are named after Eugenia (Konstantin’s wife), Margrit (Willy’s wife), Hilda and Lena (Konstantin’s daughters).

Lillian Taylor

Other Women in Wine making an impact on Steuben, and the Finger Lakes region, include Lillian Taylor who is a driving force at Bully Hill Vineyards, one of the region’s most eclectic wineries. You will often find Lillian sharing a smile and tasty food in the winery’s exceptional restaurant.

Lisa Hallgren

Speaking of delicious food, Lisa Hallgren has worked with her husband, winemaker Morten Hallgren, to establish Ravines Wine Cellars as one of Wine & Spirits Magazine’s “Top 100 Wineries in the World.” Lisa relies on her creative culinary skills to offer exquisite wine-friendly food pairings and wonderful events featuring the work and products of artisans from throughout the region.

The winery’s Ravinous Kitchen (located at the Geneva tasting room) was name one of Food & Wine Magazine’s Top Winery Kitchens (2018). Seasonally, you can also savor chocolate and charcuterie pairings at the winery’s Keuka Lake location.

Special Note: Most of Ravines food pairings and events are found at their Geneva location.

Ashlee Weis

Ashlee Weis founded Weis Vineyards with her husband Hans Peter Weis and in less than a decade the dynamic duo have created something truly special. Named “New York Winery of the Year” in 2022 and again in 2024, visit Weis Vineyards, taste Peter’s exceptional vintages, and enjoy the myriad finer touches that have Ashlee’s fingerprints on them for a relaxed, informative, and memorable wine experience.

Colleen Hardy

A Rochester native, Colleen and her husband, winemaker Sebastien Hardy from Australia, have made Keuka Lake their new home, building a grand tasting room for Living Roots with stunning views of the lake. Enjoy the gorgeous garden and stunning patio views, excellent wines (including the popular series of Sessions Sparkling Wines), and even a charming fireplace in the wintertime. Colleen has had a hand in making this bicontinental winery something special.

Céline LeSeurre

Co-owner and co-winemaker at Domaine LeSeurre Winery, Céline LeSeurre and her husband and fellow winemaker Sébastien have their hands in every facet of the business from building the beautiful tasting room to selecting the best grapes to creating some of the most unique vintages in the region. Specializing in dry, food-friendly wines, Céline and Sébastien strive to showcase the fascinating elements of Finger Lakes terroir in every bottle. Named one of “The Best New Wineries in the U.S.” (Tasting Table)

Leslie Knipe

While Azure Hill Winery’s intimate tasting room offers a certain homeyness and chill vibe, the work of Leslie Knipe (who wears many hats as president, owner and winemaker) alongside her husband and winemaker Joe Sheehy has garnered the boutique winery a loyal following. With beautiful views and small yet excellent vintages, Azure Hill feels like a secret folks are bound to discover soon.

Suszanne Piatt

In Arkport, Suzanne Piatt and her husband, winemaker and Bill Piatt, have brought wine to farm country establishing Savor Vineyards and Wine and offering unique styles of award-winning wines, live music and live comedy shows for their guests.

Kara Mackey

Tucked in among the many wineries along Keuka Lake, on 43 acres of the former Gold Seal property, Barrelhouse 6 Distillery is connected to an integral part of Hammondsport’s historic winemaking past while offering visitors and locals an alternative to wine. The distillery, which opened in 2021, has won a number of prestigious awards. You might have even seen COO and Master Distiller Kara Mackey on Discovery’s popular show “Moonshiners: Master Distiller.” Kara and the distillery offer a wonderful balance of not taking oneself too seriously, yet, all the while taking quite seriously, the craft of distilling.

The Wonders of Glass

Sophronia Houghton

Corning, also known as America’s Crystal City, has a rich history steeped in glass. That all started after the company, formerly known as Brooklyn Flint Glass moved to the small upstate town in 1868. If you scan articles on the glass company’s early days, you’re likely to find various accounts acknowledging Amory Houghton Sr at the head of the family’s lineage and attached to any stories of the company as it transitioned from Brooklyn to Corning.

You’re not likely to find, however, mention of one of the most important Houghtons, Sophronia. Actually, when she is identified in history books, she tends to go by the moniker “Amory Houghton Sr’s wife.” Yet, if not for Sophronia, who knows what the small town of Corning’s legacy might be today.

You see, Sophronia was the chief investor in the Brooklyn Flint Glass Company. That’s right. She was the money behind the purchase. Sophronia’s husband, Amory Sr, actually struggled to be successful and it was their sons, Amory Junior and Charles, who helped revive the glass company in Corning.

Sophronia’s great granddaughter, Katharine, was one of the most famous actresses of the 20th Century. You might have known her as Katharine Hepburn. She was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won four times.

Rodi Rovner

While “America’s Crystal City” is home to the world’s largest museum of glass, it was artist Rodi Rovner who created the first public access studio in Corning back in 1990 offering instruction and glassmaking projects for all ages and levels of experience. Rodi sees glassblowing as a collaboration between artist and medium. It’s the combination of engaging that creative part of herself while touching that place inside someone else that she finds most rewarding.

To learn more about Rodi and her studio, or to set up a glassblowing class, visit HandsOnGlass.com.

Other glass artists at The Corning Museum of Glass continue to push the boundaries of glassmaking developing their own styles and expressing themselves through their chosen medium.

Helen Tegeler

“From growth patterns, developmental structures, and surface textures, Helen Tegeler feels there are infinite design possibilities when interpreting nature in glass. She loves exploring seeds in particular and the potential they hold for great change, searching for meaning in their transformation and making connections to the way we grow and set roots in our own lives.”

Glassblowing videos of Helen can be found here.

Catherine Ayers

Courage and confidence are essential for an artist who steps before a live audience, day after day, and puts her skills on display, starting each new piece completely from scratch, but to do so while working with a material as unpredictable and volatile as glass also requires prodigious skill and a great deal of flexibility. “What I love about the creative process with glass is that it is challenging,” says artist Catherine Ayers. “There will always be new skills to learn,” she adds, “and different ways to work with the material.”

You can find videos of Catherine working with glass here.

Cat Burns

One of the more famous glass artists with a connection to Corning, is Cat Burns who participated in Season 2 of the Netflix phenomenon Blown Away.

While Cat does not work for The Corning Museum of Glass, she has done an Artist-in-Residence experience at The Studio. Cat’s personality, which made her a fan favorite and a local celebrity in Corning where she continues to create unique and exquisite pieces, comes through in her art.

According to her website, Cat “is a defiant artist who uses flamboyant, sarcastic humor to illustrate her internal narrative.”

In her own words, Cat says this of her time in Corning:

“I came to the Museum because, with all my heart, I wanted to become a better glass artist. But I couldn’t afford school after community college. The Museum has taught me more than I think any school could have because of the constant stream of master glassblowers working and teaching here. I got paid to learn firsthand from people at the top of their field and I could not be more grateful for the lessons the Museum has taught me.”

You can learn more about Cat and check our her shop on her website. Keep up with Cat’s latest work on her Instagram and TikTok channels.

The image of Cat: “Cat Burns works with the Hot Glass Team to create an ornate glass art object in front of a live audience during a 2300° event at the Corning Museum of Glass.”

More Women in Glass

Interested in early jobs in the glass industry, check out this special blog post from Corning Museum of Glass.

Narcissa Prentiss Whitman

One female born in the small town of Prattsburgh in 1808 was Narcissa Prentiss Whitman. At age sixteen, Narcissa decided she wanted to become a missionary. Years later, she became one of the first two “white women” to journey across the continent and cross the Rocky Mountains on foot, opening the way for future emigrants who journeyed on the Oregon Trail.

Today, you can visit her childhood home—the Narcissa Prentiss House—in Prattsburgh.

Two suffragists who grew up as friends in Corning, Margaret Sanger and Katharine Houghton Hepburn, were dynamos who shouldered the cause of women’s rights in the early 1900s. Despite pressure for her to follow the more traditional path of finishing school, Katharine kept a promise to her mother who passed when the girl was fourteen and attended college. She graduated with a degree in history and political science and a year later a graduate degree in chemistry and physics. You can read about both women, Sophronia Houghton and others in the book The Women of Corning: The Untold Story From Settlement to Present which can be found in the gift shop at Heritage Village of the Southern Finger Lakes located in Corning.

If you’re interested in the suffrage movement, you can still visit Queens Castle (also known as Camp Fossenvue) which is located about an hour drive from Corning along Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes National Forest.

While you might encounter several of the women mentioned above on a visit to Steuben County, there are myriad are other remarkable women working hard behind the scenes helping to make Steuben the friendly, fun, fabulous destination it is.