Miss Patton After graduation, she was at once offered and accepted the position of instructor at Colorado State Agricultural College, and for, six years, she served on that faculty (1885-1891). In 1891, she was appointed to the chair of English and Sociology at the college, teaching for another twelve years in this period, while also contributing to leading newspapers and magazines. devoted to sociology that was read throughout the U.S. Changes in name, management, scope, and publishing city were announced in November. Patton would continue to serve as editor of
The Colorado Woman, published in Denver, but Mary C. C. Bradford was added as the associate editor in charge of the Club department. With a focus on women's interests and women's club work, the best literary talent in the state was to be represented in the new periodical's columns, with the first issue due out on December 15, 1894. The periodical's new sponsor was the
Colorado State Equal Suffrage League (CSESL), an organization that only existed for two years. In 1895, Patton became president of the Colorado Women's Democratic Club. When women were made citizens of Colorado, Patton allied herself with the
Democratic party. Her oratorical talents were of great service to her party, and her keen sense of humor insured her a cordial reception wherever she appeared. In January 1897, Patton assumed the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, which she held even after marriage. The department of public instruction in Colorado carried with it many diverse duties. Her experience helped her to make her administration of great help to the school interests of the state. The establishment of school libraries, the extension of the kindergarten system and the general introduction of manual training received special attention. It was the first time Patton had ever delivered a speech outside of her State. She was supposed to talk on the "New Education", but declined to do so, owing to the limited time at her disposal. Instead, she gave another, stirring speech.
Mrs. Cowles In April 1898, in Chicago, she married Warren Hayden Cowles, of the U.S. Army, though the friendship between the two had originated long before in the Agricultural College, where both were instructors. Following her marriage, Patton wrote and spoke frequently, being in demand at national women's conventions and recognized as one of the leaders among women for many reforms of her era. Soon after the outbreak of the war, Patton was in the head office of the
Red Cross Society in
New York City. She was eager to take an active hand in helping the wounded soldiers who were them commencing the Cuban campaign. Her request to that effect was granted, and she was soon at the scene of the battle. She remained in Cuba for two months, assisting the sick and wounded in the different camps, returning to the U.S. in June 1899. The regiment returned with Captain Cowles safe, but before he could be joined by Patton, the troops were ordered to
Manila, and Patton reached Chicago again only in time to say good-by to her departing husband on the train. Later, Patton accompanied her husband to the Philippines, where she planned to write a few press letters on life among the army women of
Manila. They returned to the U.S. in 1903 in order for Patton to be hospitalized and treated in Denver for "nervous troubles". ==Death and legacy==