Women of the West: Untold Stories from American History

Jana Bommersbach currently writes for True West magazine, digging up the true stories behind the popular myths, with an emphasis on Arizona’s real history and women of the Old West.

Besides Calamity Jane and Annie Oakley, any Western women come to mind? Probably not—not because they weren’t just as important to settling the West, but because history was so focused on the goons and gunfighters, it forgot the women. So it’s a surprise that a 16 year-old Shoshone girl from Dakota Territory named Sacagawea would become the most celebrated woman in American history. It’s little known that Sharlot Hall isn’t just a museum in Prescott, but was a real woman who saved Arizona’s statehood. It’s a shock to learn Colorado’s first female journalist got a notorious cannibal out of prison. And oh, the secrets of the most famous Indian captive in American history—Olive Oatman. Western women finally get their due in this presentation that tells what history forgot to mention!

Her books will be available for sale and signing after the presentation.

“This program is made possible by Arizona Humanities”  
Arizona Humanities builds a just and civil society by creating opportunities to explore our shared human experiences through discussion, learning and reflection.