Women of the Sierra by Anne Seagraves (1990)
"Women of the Sierra" is a unique book about women achievers of the mid-1800s through the turn-of-the-century. It offers an accurate account of the gallant ladies who helped to shape the colorful history of the Sierra. Each one is special...all made a valuable contribution to the area. In the 1850s the northern Sierra was a man's land with few amenities, & remained that way until the latter part of the 19th century. The first women to arrive were the "fancy ladies" like Julia Bulette & "Madame Moustache." They were followed by actresses such as Lola Montez & Lotta Crabtree, &, "Charley" Parkhurst, a woman who posed as a man & drove stagecoach over the mountainous trails. This book takes the reader back into the 19th-century with descriptive text interspersed with interesting old photos, supplements, & newspaper articles. The author, Anne Seagraves, is a feminist. The stories she tells clearly illustrates the lack of equality between men & women of that era, & show how many of these injustices are still practiced today. From doctor to innkeeper, these high-spirited female pioneers achieved their independence in a male-dominated society, & opened the door for others to follow