Statement on the passing of Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner
As the former Mayor of the Village of Fayetteville, I had the great honor of working with
Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner. I worked side by side with Sally to help the Matilda Joslyn
Gage Museum come to life in our community, and I was deeply saddened to learn of
her passing.
Sally’s passion and unwavering commitment to the legacy of Matilda Joslyn Gage were
extraordinary. Through her vision, scholarship, and tireless work, she brought Gage’s
powerful story back into public consciousness, ensuring that generations to come could
learn from and be inspired by this pioneering suffragist and social reformer.
Sally was not just a historian or an advocate — she was a force. Her dedication to truthtelling, especially in the face of forgotten or overlooked histories, brought light and depth
to the conversations around women’s rights, Indigenous sovereignty, and social justice.
The Village of Fayetteville and the broader community have lost a true gem. But thanks
to Sally’s life’s work, the light of Matilda Joslyn Gage’s legacy will continue to shine. I
am profoundly grateful for Sally’s partnership, her tenacity, and her heart.
She will be deeply missed.
