The Women

This is an entry in the Time-Life series, "The Old West." The focus here? Women in the Old West. The book begins by noting that (Page7): "The West was full of promise for women." The work was often hard, but they could accomplish much; many even homesteaded their own land. Striking indeed is a picture on pages 14-15 of two women galloping across the Oregon lands on their horses. The numerous photos throughout this volume give a good sense of the nature of the times. The first chapter notes the role of women like Sacajawea, who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition. There are also the missionaries, including Narcissa Whitman and Eliza Spalding. The chapter considers the difficult trek westward, with families and their possessions moving slowly toward their chosen spot of land. The second chapter looks at "the marriage boom." There are nice photos of wedding days to give a real sense of these events. Pages 54 and 55 provide photos of women working. Relations with Native Americans are discussed here, too. Chapter 3 looks at women as "culture bearers." Women were often school teachers; they started literary groups; and "planted seeds of culture that they hoped their children would reap" (page 79). Chapter 4 looks at working women, from actresses to lawyers to dance-hall women to photographers to hotel ownership/management and physicians. Later chapters consider the careers of independent women such as the eccentric Calamity Jane. A fine introduction to the role of women in the Old West. . . .