through a number of organizations, committees and other groups devoted to social and political reforms, from prohibition and suffrage to care for the mentally ill and indigent. A couple of many examples are the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington and Oregon. While women may have been expanding their roles and forging an identity independent of male influence, they faced staunch opposition from the patriarchy and seldom won expanded decision-making power. Still, women could win significant political victories despite such obstacles. A case in point is the Supreme Court decision in the early twentieth century, Muller v. Oregon, that helped spur a national movement in favor of laws to protect female laborers. Women were also active in improving their communities, from lobbying for parks and playgrounds to war memorials and gardens.
If I were able to live as a woman of the American West, I would choose to lead a life like that of Laura Ingalls Wilder, born
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