Women in the History of the American West

The women of the American West were involved in political activism, running for office, and social reform movements throughout their history. Women of diverse races, ethnicities and cultures were united by a common thread, one that existed amidst unequal power relations with men. Women in the American West were forced to define themselves on their own terms, ones that largely conflicted with the political and cultural roles defined by the patriarchy. Such women often forged new roles for themselves and expanded womenÆs power, from Sacagawea who pushed the female presence into a male-dominated occupation to political leadership offered by the likes of Mary Shields and countless other women.

Women also ran for politics but in the nineteenth century they typically entered political arenas in which they had the most experience or power. Frontier women largely championed education and the occupation of teacher, though paying a lower salary than most men would accept, permitted single women to make the journey West. The journey West itself represented an expansion of womenÆs freedom as well as forcing them to become more engaged as a source of labor. In Denver in 1891, a Mrs. Saxton failed to win a position on the school board because she entered the campaign late but it taught women that more than intentions were needed to win political contests.

With Populist support, prohibition activist support, and a growing number

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read that unites most women of the West shines through. For most women did not make the arduous journey West willingly but did so instead to preserve the unity of family. We see the importance of family in ôLittle Houseö in a number of ways, from the importance of family members as a source of labor, companionship, and support. I also would like to have lived WilderÆs life because of its difficult but rewarding lifestyle that is more closely connected to nature than contemporary lifestyles. This provides a serenity and peace for Wilder that is difficult to engender in modern times but also knowledge of nature that is deep and meaningful. For example, she learns the lesson of a sugar snow from her Granpa and the connection between sugar making and tree sap. This adds to appreciation of lifeÆs simple pleasures and a deeper sensitivity to all life, as we see when Laura feels sorry for the bees that will lose their honey. I also would have enjoyed WilderÆs life because it was an honest one but mannered. Boys dress in suits and girls in sunbonnets on special occasions and mind their elders. Family often gathers, including aunts, uncles and cousins, to work or celebrate. Mothers make fine clothes by hand and develop a number of
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Approximate Word count = 1625
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)