APPLETON, Wis.— As Women’s History Month wraps up, the Appleton community shined a spotlight on a legacy of its own. 

Back in 1894, Carrie Morgan was elected as the first long-term female superintendent in the state. An old building in downtown Appleton— the Morgan Building— is not only a reminder of Morgan’s legacy, but also serves as a memory of the early days of Appleton Area School District.

Morgan, and other women like her, laid the foundation for future female leaders in education to take the reigns at AASD.

Morgan’s legacy continued on and is echoed today by the current superintendent, Dr. Judy Baseman.

“I think when you actually see other women in leadership, it shows you what is possible,” said Baseman. 

Baseman has led AASD since 2017, but plans to retire this June.

Baseman said her favorite part of the job, and what she‘ll miss most, is talking to the students who’ve made her career impactful.

“I really saw the difference that the school leader can make in the work that you do with students along the way,” said Baseman. “Lots of wonderful experiences along the way and opportunities.”

“Just the relationship, the mentorship, those conversations were golden and [I’ll] will forever remember their gratitude,” she added. 

In the very building where Baseman reminisces, the Morgan Building, she’s reminded of Morgan’s work and strides of progress. Morgan introduced Kindergarten and special education efforts at AASD, wihch were new concepts for the district during her tenure.

“We are a district that values leadership, that is responsive to the kids that we serve,” said Baseman. “So, her legacy really reminds me of the importance of stability, of systems and of innovation.”

The way AASD functions today would not have been possible without Morgan’s innovations.

“We’re still benefiting from her work, that longevity was a huge piece of Appleton history; I think we’ve all seen through the years that’s created a special stability here in the Appleton Area School District,” Baseman said.

And the school district does not want to forget that: Memorabilia of Morgan hangs inside the Morgan Building. The district hopes this brings honor to the strides of women that make the sixth largest district in the state successful. 

Baseman said she hopes other women in education continue to strive and succeed beyond her time in the field.

Learn more about Morgan’s legacy through archives, here.