African American Women of the Old West

First Edition

Tricia Martineau Wagner

The brave pioneers who made a life on the frontier were not only male—and they were not only white. The story of African-American women in the Old West is one that has largely gone untold until now. The stories of ten African-American women are reconstructed from historic documents found in century-old archives. Some of these women slaves, some were free, and some were born into slavery and found freedom in the old west. They were laundresses, freedom advocates, journalists, educators, midwives, business proprietors, religious converts, philanthropists, mail and freight haulers, and civil and social activists. These hidden historical figures include Biddy Mason, a slave who fought for her family's freedom; Elizabeth Thorn Scott Flood, a teacher determined to educate black children and aid them in leading better lives; and the mysterious Mary Ellen Pleasant, a civil rights crusader and savvy businesswoman. Even in the face of racial prejudice, these unsung heroes never gave up hope for a brighter future.

Globe Pequot / TwoDot

Pages: 168 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-0-7627-3900-4 • Paperback • February 2007 • $16.95 • (£12.99)

978-1-4617-4842-7 • eBook • February 2007 • $16.00 • (£11.99)

Subjects: History / United States / State & Local / West (AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, UT, WY), Biography & Autobiography / Women, History / African American

African American Women of the Old West

First Edition

Paperback

eBook

Summary

The brave pioneers who made a life on the frontier were not only male—and they were not only white. The story of African-American women in the Old West is one that has largely gone untold until now. The stories of ten African-American women are reconstructed from historic documents found in century-old archives. Some of these women slaves, some were free, and some were born into slavery and found freedom in the old west. They were laundresses, freedom advocates, journalists, educators, midwives, business proprietors, religious converts, philanthropists, mail and freight haulers, and civil and social activists. These hidden historical figures include Biddy Mason, a slave who fought for her family's freedom; Elizabeth Thorn Scott Flood, a teacher determined to educate black children and aid them in leading better lives; and the mysterious Mary Ellen Pleasant, a civil rights crusader and savvy businesswoman. Even in the face of racial prejudice, these unsung heroes never gave up hope for a brighter future.

Details

Globe Pequot / TwoDot

Pages: 168 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-0-7627-3900-4 • Paperback • February 2007 • $16.95 • (£12.99)

978-1-4617-4842-7 • eBook • February 2007 • $16.00 • (£11.99)

Subjects: History / United States / State & Local / West (AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, UT, WY), Biography & Autobiography / Women, History / African American

Author

Tricia Martineau Wagner, a North Carolina author and presenter, is an experienced elementary teacher and reading specialist. She is a well-versed and entertaining speaker who brings history to life. She enjoys conducting presentations for schools and organizations around the country on the history of the Oregon Trail, African American Women born before 1900, and the Underground Railroad, as well as creative writing for grades three through twelve. For additional information or to book Ms. Wagner for an event please contact her at www.authortalk.org.

Tricia has also written It Happened on the Oregon Trail and It Happened on the Underground Railroad. An Ohio native, she attended The University of Toledo and Miama University. She has lived most of her adult life in the Chicago and San Francisco area. She is an avid hiker and now makes her home in Charlotte with her husband, Mark; their children Kelsey and Mitch; and their puppy, Tiger.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction
The Open Hand
A Force to be Dealt With
At Long Last
The Complete Instructor
Unbroken Bond
Home Sweet Home
I Give You My Word
The Second Act
Like Mother, Like Daughter
The Voice of Reason
Bibliography
Index
About the Author

Reviews

"Whether you are a history enthusiast or a lover of adventure stories, African American Women of the Old West presents the reader with fascinating accounts of ten extraordinary, generally unrecognized, African Americans. Tricia Martineau Wagner takes these remarkable women from the footnotes of history and brings them to life."--Ed Diaz, President of the Association for African American Historical Research and Preservation

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African American Women of the Old West

First Edition

Tricia Martineau Wagner

African American Women of the Old West

First Edition

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