Woman As A Pioneer

By William Worthington Fowler in 1877

Just as every grand battle has its unsung heroes, so too does the vast and ongoing saga of human progress. The common soldier, charging into the fray, might fall in the very breach his valor created, his sacrifice marked only by a nameless grave. The junior officer, known perhaps only to his company roster, fearlessly carries the regimental colors into the heart of the conflict. The corporal, leading his men in a final, decisive charge, is often lost in the roar of victory, his contribution fading into the collective triumph.

The victory, however, might owe as much, or even more, to the unwavering courage of those content to serve dutifully in the ranks as to the flamboyant colonel leading the charge or the general orchestrating the campaign. Yet, unseen, unknown, and unrewarded, the common soldier fades into obscurity, while the leader’s name echoes across the land, etched into history as a hero of his country.

This comparison holds true beyond the battlefield. Life itself is a grand campaign, and no army has been more magnificent than the one that, for over two and a half centuries, has relentlessly pushed across the American continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This army, comprised of pioneers, faced countless hardships and dangers, carrying the banner of civilization and forging a new republic from the wilderness. In this epic undertaking, the Woman As A Pioneer has all too often been the unsung heroine.

It is imperative that we remember her now. Her enduring patience, unwavering courage, steadfast fortitude, skillful tact, and remarkable presence of mind in the face of adversity are virtues that deserve recognition. The Woman As A Pioneer stands alongside her male counterpart, a figure of strength and resilience. From the perilous voyage across the tempestuous ocean from England to America, to the harsh realities of Plymouth, Jamestown, and the myriad settlements that dotted the coastline, women were there. They traversed the trackless wilderness, pushing onward across the continent, fording every river, scaling every mountain range, until they reached the tranquil Pacific. Their efforts culminated in the creation of countless cities, towns, and hamlets, all born from the fabric of household life where a woman’s labor reached its fullest expression.

One of the most striking characteristics of the Woman As A Pioneer is her profound self-devotion, particularly when she believes in a righteous cause or when she sacrifices herself for her loved ones. Throughout history and across cultures, we see examples of this unwavering dedication. In some cultures, women faced the flames alongside their deceased husbands. In others, they endured lifelong confinement. They bore the burdens imposed upon them by societal norms and religious doctrines, often in silence and without complaint. Across much of the ancient world, women remained, as a French writer eloquently put it, "anonymous, indifferent to herself, and leaving no trace of her passage upon earth."

The benevolent influence of Christianity, however, elevated women from the subordinate positions they held under other belief systems. They emerged as teachers, demonstrating a martyr’s courage in the face of disease and embarking on missionary voyages to distant lands. They embraced the hardships and dangers of colonial life with a newfound sense of responsibility as wives and mothers. In every role, whether teaching, caring for the sick, or spreading the Gospel, they exhibited the same self-devotion as in ages past. It is this exceptional quality that uniquely prepared her to be the pioneer’s companion in the New World, and it is by her deeds in this role that she must be judged.

If true greatness is measured by the good one accomplishes, then it is essential that a woman’s contributions be acknowledged and justly rewarded. In America, her presence and assistance have been indispensable from the very beginning. From the colonial era, through the brutal wars with the indigenous peoples, the struggles of the Revolution, and the westward expansion of exploration and settlement, the Woman As A Pioneer has been instrumental. A grateful nation must now recognize her invaluable services.

A cherished tradition tells of Mary Chilton, a young woman, being the first to step onto the snow-covered rock of Plymouth. The last survivor of those heroic pioneers was Mary Allerton, who witnessed the establishment of twelve of the thirteen colonies that would eventually form the United States.

Aboard the Mayflower, nineteen wives accompanied their husbands to an uncharted and unforgiving land, inhabited by wary and sometimes hostile Native Americans. In rudimentary huts, devoid of the comforts of the homes they left behind, these women, who had once been surrounded by the luxuries of England, tended to their newborn children without complaint. The women, who had expertly crafted intricate embroidery or prepared elaborate feasts in their former lives, now ground coarse Indian corn to make bread for their families, teaching their children to seek God’s blessing before partaking in their meager meals. When snow seeped through the cracks in the roof, they gathered their children close, imparting lessons from the Bible, the catechism, and sacred hymns, even as the war cries of the Native Americans echoed through the wilderness. Amidst the countless hardships of colonial existence, she fortified her husband with her unwavering strength and comforted him with her unwavering love. She was, in essence, “an undergoing spirit, to bear up against whatever ensued.”

The names of these nineteen pioneering women deserve to be etched in gold upon the pillars of American history. The wives of the Pilgrims, along with their daughters, shared the perils of that harrowing winter voyage and endured the trials, tribulations, and transformations of the fledgling colony.

The journey of the Mayflower, the landing on a desolate shore in the depths of winter, the construction of those humble dwellings with oiled paper for windows, and the suffering of that initial winter and spring, which women shared fully, marked the first steps in the remarkable movement that carried the Anglo-Saxon race across the American continent. The subsequent steps involved the penetration of the wilderness westward from the sea by the emigrant pioneers and their wives. They battled their way through dense forests, constructing cabins, blockhouses, and churches in the clearings they carved out. Amidst the constant threat of conflict with Native Americans, the Woman As A Pioneer was ever-present, providing care, comfort, and unwavering labor. The annals of colonial history are replete with accounts of her acts of love and heroism, and countless other instances undoubtedly went unrecorded.

She loaded flintlock rifles within the confines of the blockhouse while hostile Native Americans surrounded it. She risked her life to protect her children from harm. In her remote forest home, she toiled and watched, far removed from loved ones in England. By fulfilling countless duties in the household and the fields, she silently contributed to the development of the young Republic of the West.

At times, she stood in battle alongside her husband or brother, fighting with the unwavering resolve and bravery of a seasoned soldier. However, her heroism shone brightest when she faced danger to protect her children.

In the early days of Royalton, Vermont, a sudden attack by Native Americans occurred. Mrs. Hendee, whose husband was away on military duty, was working in the field when the Native Americans invaded her home, captured her children, and carried them across the White River, a wide and deep waterway.

Upon returning from the field, Mrs. Hendee discovered the fate of her children. Her initial grief was overwhelming, but it quickly transformed into fierce determination. Like a lioness robbed of her cubs, she fearlessly pursued her captors. Bravely entering the river, she battled the current, planting her feet firmly on the riverbed and pushing forward. With a determined expression, maternal love driving her, she entered the Native American camp, undeterred by the menacing tomahawks brandished around her. She boldly demanded the release of her children and persisted in her pleas until her request was granted. She then carried her children back across the river, ensuring their safety.

Not content with saving only her own children, she returned to the camp, appealing for the release of other children who had been captured. Again, she succeeded, bringing more children to safety. On her final visit to the enemy camp, the Native Americans were so impressed by her courage that one of them offered to carry her across the river. She accepted, and the Native American carried her to the opposite bank, where she reunited the rescued children with their overjoyed parents.

During the Wyoming Massacre, Mrs. Mary Gould sought refuge in the fort with the other women. In the chaos, she left her four-year-old son behind. Ignoring the warnings of others, she embarked on a perilous search. Despite the darkness and the lurking enemy, she pressed on, driven by a mother’s love. After a long search, she found her child playing on the riverbank. Embracing him, she returned to the fort in safety.

During the American Revolution, the sacrifices and efforts of women were significant and enduring. Many examples are recorded, but countless acts of faithfulness and perseverance remain unacknowledged. In countless homes, the mother labored to fulfill both her duties and those of her absent soldier husband, with only God as her witness.

One elderly man recalled his mother’s unwavering strength during the Revolutionary War, when his father was away fighting. Despite the harsh conditions and limited resources, she never complained, instilling in her children a sense of hope and trust.

These are examples of the courage and resilience that the Woman As A Pioneer demonstrated, and are echoed throughout American history.

In a remote part of Virginia, during the Revolution, a mother sent her three young sons to defend their land against British troops, demonstrating her unwavering patriotism.

To fully appreciate the role of women in the expansion of civilization across the continent, it is important to consider their physical constitution. Their sensitivity and delicate nature made labor more arduous and suffering more profound. While society often associates weeping with women and labor with men, the pioneer woman had to both work and weep. The hardships of frontier life aged her prematurely, but her spirit remained unbroken. It is this bravery and resilience in the face of weakness that inspires the greatest admiration.

A European traveler in Montana encountered a woman living in a remote cabin in the Rocky Mountains. She lived with her husband and children, far from civilization. Her husband mined for gold, while she raised crops, cared for the family, and protected them from danger.

She recounted encounters with Native Americans, wild animals, and the constant struggle for survival. Despite the challenges, she taught her children to read and maintained a sense of faith and hope.

This woman, Mrs. James Manning, exemplifies the spirit of the Woman As A Pioneer: courageous, resilient, and dedicated to her family.

The traveler recognized her story as an embodiment of frontier life, a testament to the strength and perseverance of women who helped shape the American West.

Even today, as emigrants journey westward, the same spirit of the Woman As A Pioneer endures. She bears the burdens of travel, establishes a home in the wilderness, and faces danger with unwavering resolve.

The woman on the American frontier fulfills the roles of both man and woman. She lays the hearthstone, builds the cabin, and tends to the garden, dairy, and barns. When danger arises, she must confront it alone. In times of famine, she must stretch meager supplies. In times of sickness, she must nurse and watch without support.

From her efforts, households, hamlets, villages, towns, cities, and states arise. She is, indeed, one of the founders of the Republic.

William Worthington Fowler, 1877. Compiled and edited by Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated March 2025.