- Stories of their lives and contributions -

Ariel Emmerson and Sarah Houghland

Along with the explorers, hunters, and "mountain-men," who settled our area, came women who played major roles in settling and developing the Wild West: women who mainly stayed in the home with children, as well as women who were suffragists, politicians, and non-traditionalists. Though these women were among the most important people in the settling of the Pacific Northwest, they are largely ignored by historians and the Pacific Northwest population.

Because of this ignorance of women's importance in our history, it is our intent to instill a better understanding of women's contributions to the Pacific Northwest. Therefore we chose six diverse women who were part of early Northwest history: Abigail Scott Duniway, Sue Boynton, Nettie Connet Dempsey, Josephine Lavigneur, Jennie Divilbiss Goodell, and Bertha Knight Landes, We chose these women because of their wide range of backgrounds and contributions. We have shown that every woman, as well as every man, was important in our history. After researching, we wrote monologues in the voice of each woman. These monologues capture the personalities and influences of these women in an interesting way. Together they represent the courageous efforts of all women in the early Pacific Northwest.

When women go for their own rights, they generally get them that's my philosophy. I have spent half of my lifetime writing, lecturing, traveling, and debating through the Pacific Northwest, and often elsewhere, campaigning for the Woman Suffrage Movement. I am an indomitable publicist for women's rights on the frontier, and the foremost representative of Western women in the National Movement.

I was born in 1834 in a log cabin in Tazewell County, Illinois, the third of twelve children. I was named Abigail, but my friends and family called me Jenny. My mother taught me to read when I was three years of age, but I only had a few months of formal education as a child. In 1852 my whole family took the Overland Trail to Oregon. My mother, already in poor health from the stillbirth of her twelfth child, came down with cholera one night on the trail. She was dead within three hours. I have never forgotten how my overworked mother always feared and suffered through each of her many pregnancies. Because of my mother's pain, I determined to argue against involuntary motherhood and religious prescriptions for wifely obedience.

When we arrived in western Oregon, I left my family to become a schoolteacher later that year, I met and married Benjamin Duniway when I was 18. We moved onto a nearby farm and I took time off from teaching for farm-work and child rearing. At the age of 25, I published a novel, Captain gray’s Company or Crossing the Plains and Living in Oregon. It advocated the necessity of improving women's health and personal autonomy.

My husband mortgaged the farm without consulting me, and in 1861, we faced foreclosure due to financial depression and floods. Unfortunately, my husband was run over by a heavily loaded teamsters wagon soon after the loss of our farm. The accident left Ben disabled and unfit to work. So, I became the breadwinner for the family, first as a schoolteacher, then as a millinery shopkeeper, the only respectable professions women could hold at that time. In spite of this, I had a dream of establishing my own newspaper business, and it has always been my nature to turn my dreams into reality. So, in 187 1, I moved my family to Portland, Oregon, where I purchased type and a printing press, set up an office in our upstairs bedroom, and began publishing my weekly newspaper, New Northwest. The paper was packed with information about national and international events and attitudes related to the position of women.

My interest in women's rights led me to make the Suffrage Movement my career. It is a full-time commitment with a grueling schedule. I give, on average, over 200 lectures a year in the Pacific Northwest. On each of my tours, I canvass for New Northwest subscribers, and organize suffrage associations wherever possible. In my lectures I proclaim the injustice of an "aristocracy of sex," or the denial of equal political and economic opportunity to the wives, mothers, and sisters of enfranchised men. In 1871 I made my first connection to the National Woman Suffrage Association as manager of an extensive two month lecture tour by the famous, controversial Susan B. Anthony. I later became vice-president of this association. I was nominated for mayor of Washington Territory in 1884, and founded the Oregon Women's Club in the 1890's, hoping to educate women in parliamentary procedures and the necessity of women's rights. I believe "ladies" are parasites on society; it is working women who constitute true womanhood, and deserve legal rights with which to protect themselves. I also believe that giving women social, financial, and political autonomy would benefit intellectual and economic development in regions as well as individuals.

Though I have accomplished much and have encouraging support from both women and men, my campaign is not all sweetness and light. I remember, in 1879, f was campaigning in southern Oregon when a group of men egged us. They burnt us in effigy, the linage being a fair likeness of George Washington, so we were told, though we didn't see it. Only one egg hit us, and that was fresh and sweet, and it took us square on the scalp and saved a shampoo bill. Despite sometimes overwhelming opposition from the male sex, I still argue that women must work with men rather than as antagonists, in order to achieve their equal rights goal.

One of the most rewarding events in my life was in 1912, when I became the first woman voter in the state of Oregon. My life and lectures have inspired women all over the Pacific Northwest to seek the autonomy I claimed for myself It is my philosophy that one should trust in God and keep your powder dry, and that self preservation is the primary law of existence.

Well, my Mama had a hard time with my birth Yes, when it was over my Daddy was so relieved that he said, "A girl, by Godfrey! A girl! I'm glad it's over." Over Indeed! Well the baby girl could have told him 'But you're wrong mister, It's not over it's just beginning.' I was raised by my grandmother, Susan Shaw, whose name I inherited. When I was a child, Grandma taught me to fear God and keep his commandments. My faith guides me in all my endeavors. The most important thing in this life is to prepare for the life which is to come.

I lived in South Carver, Massachusetts until the time of my marriage at the age of 23 to Cr. Solon Richard Boynton. Yes, he is a handsome man. I still remember the way he looked at me when we first met, Solon had ambitious plans to establish a medical practice in Bellingham, Washington and I was eager to accompany him on this adventure. We traveled for days, and arrived in Bellingham on a stormy October afternoon in 1906. In this raging storm Solon kept saying over and over again "Sue, isn't 'it wonderful! Isn't it beautiful!" And I, who came from Boston, and rather impressive surroundings, looked at the false fronts on the one-storied buildings and tramped along over board sidewalks and streets made of logs, agreed, yes, it was wonderful. We lived with Solon's aunt and uncle until we could afford to buy our first home on the corner of Halleck and G street. At first we could not afford luxuries but over time Solon's practice flourished. We soon moved to a larger house on Cherry Street, where, in 1910, our first child was born. In about six years four other healthy children arrived. I remember that I used to pray before the birth of my children that God would teach me just how and what to do and how to be a mother. My husband loved children, he wanted a family and enthusiastically welcomed each child. In 1913, in order to accommodate the needs of our new family, we built the home of our dreams, where we lived for 40 years. The house was built on Cornwall Avenue and cost us $5,000 dollars.

I was always concerned with my children's education and well being, so naturally I became an active member of the PTA when my children enrolled at Washington School in 1917. My participation in the PTA quickly spread into my involvement in many city and community activities, including my position as Superintendent of the Sunday School at the Advent Christian Church for 20 years. I feel that it is imperative for young adults to be involved in their churches. One form of evangelism is reaching out-, another form is helping young people grow and develop, and to discover the riches of Christ, Therefore, in 1921 I established the Young People's Institute (the first in the United States), in order to provide opportunities for young people to develop their faith in an encouraging and supportive environment.

In 1936 I accepted the Presidency of St. Luke's Assistance League. As President, my goal was to attract members to the league in order to raise money for St. Luke's hospital. I sat down to my telephone and in less than three weeks I had 126 women who had promised to be members and pay dues. We also approached every doctor and they became associate members at $5 apiece.

In my church I was head of the Women's Home and Foreign Mission Society for Western Washington and British Columbia Conference, It is important to reach out beyond our small communities and positively effect people with our faith in the love of Christ. I am interested in taking city-sponsored classes that will develop my faith and involvement in the community. In taking these classes, I hope my mind will become flexible enough to accept an appreciation of all denominations.

I was never aware of giving anything away-I wasn't aware of contributing, for I was so constantly aware of receiving. I fell that selfless generosity and honesty uphold the integrity of each person. Integrity in every area is needed in our Nation now. The integrity in relationships, in marriage, in the family, in politics, in education, and in professions. At tile heart of all of this is honesty. That quality of honesty must be recaptured, it will lead to the healing of the Nation.

I was 15 years in Washington Territory when a great fire hit the little town of Elma. Chehalis County, in 1902, I was widowed the year before and lived with my four children in a small but cozy house at the edge of the woods. The summer was mighty dry that year, the sun beat down, drying the grass and trees. The air was so hot, you could’ve fried an egg In it five miles east of town a spark from the logging works fell In a pile of dry slashing's and a forest fire was born.

I could see the billowing smoke moving closer to our house soon after it started. Three of my children were at school, and I was worried for their safety, but I knew that their teacher would surely send them home as soon as the fire was noticed. I could hear neighbors shouting in panic to one another in warning of the growing fire. Chaos set into our little village but I was determined to keep my calm and save all that I could. I immediately thought to save our family heirlooms from the Fire by burying them in the garden. When the children came running home from school, they helped me in the attempt to save what we could of our home. I ran for a pail of water and a long ladder and climbed up the side of the house to douse the roof My children helped me in a relay, supplying me with new palls of water. I looked back at the fire and realized that I would never be able to save the house from the raging flames. I climbed down from the roof and hastily gathered clothes into bundles for each of us to carry. I put the baby in the big old baby buggy and herded the children in front of me out the back door.

As we quickly walked away from the house, my son said, "You didn't lock the back door." I replied, "It isn't necessary." We had only gone a short distance when he turned back to the house and shouted, "Mamma, our house is burning!" The children started to cry, including the baby. I paused and breathed deeply, watching the flames envelop our small home, and I said, "Come, we mustn't stand here, it is getting late. We must go on and don’t look back." And so we walked on into the dusk, our backs lighted eerily by burning trees on the hilltop, and all I could say was, "Don't look back."

I was born on October 19, 1868, in Ware, Massachusetts, the youngest of nine children. I was fortunate to graduate from Classical High School in Massachusetts before heading to Bloomington, Indiana, to attend Indiana University. I lived with my sister and her husband, David Starr Jordan, the president of the University. In 1891 I graduated with a degree in the new Department of History and Political Science. I met my husband, Henry Landes, while studying at Indiana University. After our marriage, Henry obtained a position at the University of Washington as a geology professor, and we moved out west to Seattle.

It wasn't until my middle age, after my children were grown, that my interest in politics grew, and. I was grateful for the overwhelming support my husband gave me. He is as interested in having me live a full, rich life as he is in having one for himself My husband and I saw my new interest In a political career as duty and service, not an opportunity for fulfillment of my own ambition. I approached my political activities within the context of a woman's proper place. I began giving nationwide lecture tours. In these lecture tours, I sought to reconcile woman's "proper place" on a wide scale. I was an active leader in many clubs, such as the Woman's Century Club, and the Women's University Club. Through my various political and community activities, I bridged the gap between women's traditional role and the world of business and civic service, I now felt that I was a worthy candidate for public office. To many people's surprise, I was not only nominated for mayor of Seattle, but was elected in 1926, becoming the first female mayor of a major city in the United States.

As mayor, my goal was to improve our city, but also to encourage traditional moral values and ideals as much as possible. The majority of our people desire civic decency and public morality, but they don't desire them sufficiently to be willing to sacrifice very much of their time, strength or money to procure them. For me, the most important function of government is creating the proper atmosphere-mental, moral and physical-for the rearing of children and the activities of adult life. Though I was not reelected for a second term in office, I found my brief years as mayor rewarding, and feel that my election was a step toward a better future. Frankly, I liked being mayor. I haven't seen any reason why a woman can't fill it as well as a man.

In 1850, when I was 19, and with child, my husband was away working in the Oregon mines, and I worked for my room and board at the Bergenen family home. One day, I became dizzy and sick, and fell in a faint on the floor. Mr. and Mrs. Bergenen picked me up and laid me on the parlor couch. When they left to get the doctor and midwife, I unknowingly rolled off the couch, crushing the head of my unborn child. Still unconscious, I gave birth to a little girl that was only with us for a few moments. I lay lifeless, and after examining me, the doctor pronounced me dead. I had previously requested that, in the case of my death, I be laid out for a period of three days before my burial. In respect for my wishes, the Bergenens laid me in a room with a sheet as my only covering. Preparing me for burial on the third day, my family was shocked to find that my body was still limp. They placed a mirror in front of my face and saw steam appear on the glass. And so they warmed me up and worked with my, and the next day I came to! When asked where I had been, I remembered going to St, Peter's door and hearing lovely music played on harps. But St. Peter told me it wasn't my time', that I was going to live a long while more. He was right! Since then, I've had eight children, four of which were present at the festival in honor of my 100'h birthday in the town of Montesano, WA in 1931. I've had a right good life and I expect to see St. Peter a'grinnin' when next I show up at the Celestial gates.

I certainly never have and never will conform to the conventional position of the fancy-dancy "lady," hanging around some silly man and gossiping every chance I get. My life has proven that any woman can live as challenging and exciting of a life as any man ever did. Marriage didn't suit me, I prefer to live independently. And so, at age I 8, I left my husband with a babe in my arm and $80 dollars in my purse. I got a job as a waitress in Portland, Oregon, before moving up with my hard-working ways and wit. I soon operated and owned several hotels. However, I saw new opportunity in the timber industry on the flanks of Mt. Hood. I sank everything I had in property and became well known as a promoter of the area's timber highways. I harvested my timber as soon as I could get my product to market.

I love hard work, and can never wait to tackle challenges. I always determine to keep myself busy with several projects at once. As I made my living in the timber market, I also ran 200 cattle and bred horses. There isn't a job I can't handle as well as any man.

I found myself in a situation as sticky as molasses in summer when I caught my head in a bear trap one year. Lucky for me, Dr. Noehran was able to take care of my cuts and bruises, while telling me how he wanted to establish a medical care plan for the elderly that would allow them to choose the type of care they wanted. I supported his plan wholeheartedly, since I won't ever agree to set foot in those old folks' homes they’ve tried to tell me about. I tell you, I'm sure they don't serve anything but dog food in those places. I don't need anybody's help, no matter how old I get. Hey, when I was 82 I roared a motorcycle through the streets of Sandy, Oregon, and taught little children to swim at the community pool. Every year on my birthday I amuse the crowds, by standing on my head on a barstool. Any-way, I don't mean to boast, but since I backed up Dr. Noehran and his plan so much, he later named it after me.

If you’ll add up logger, trapper, cat-skinner, bounty hunter, midwife, and good Samaritan, you begin to see why I am remembered as "The Living Legend of Sandy, Oregon.