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“Brave Hearted: The Women of the American West,” by Katie Hickman A generation ago, publishers discovered that women went West — and as something more than whores and Madonnas. They found the women’s stories and journals were worth printing. Since then, hundreds of narratives, reminiscences and general histories of westering females have been issued.
“Brave Hearted” includes the accounts of “Dame Shirley” , who describes the early California Gold Rush; Olive Oatman, who was captured by Indians; and the self-promoting Elizabeth Custer. Hickman writes about handcart pioneers, military wives and camp followers, including the tale of Mrs. Nash, the oft-married laundress who turned out to be a man.
Sister Alicia Cuaron, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis, said the lesson she learned from her family — to be proud of her culture and heritage — helped her face racism. Emily Howell Warner, the first female commercial pilot, credits persistence developed early in life for her success against male opposition. Mary Elitch Long was widowed at the age of 34, just a year after her husband opened Elitch Gardens.