Women Icons of the West

Step back in time and experience the spirit of the American frontier through the eyes of five extraordinary women.

The history of the American West is often told through the exploits of outlaws and lawmen, but the true grit of the frontier lived in the hearts of the women who helped build it. In Women Icons of the West, Julie Danneberg profiles five trailblazers whose lives were as diverse as the landscape itself—ranging from a newly freed slave to a refined English aristocrat.

Told through a captivating blend of factual biography and creative first-person narrative, this book brings to life the stories of:

• Clara Brown: A former slave who became a successful entrepreneur and a legendary community "Angel" in the Colorado mining camps.
• Sarah Winnemucca: A Thule Paiute activist and author who fought tirelessly for the rights of her people.
• Nellie Cashman: The "Angel of the Cassiar," a brave prospector and philanthropist known for her daring rescue missions in the frozen North.
• Isabella Bird: A world-traveling Englishwoman whose adventurous spirit led her to explore the rugged Rocky Mountains on horseback.
• Margaret "Molly" Brown: The legendary socialite and activist who famously survived the sinking of the Titanic.

With an emphasis on perseverance and courage, Women Icons of the West offers young readers an inspiring look at how these women defied the social constraints of their time to forge their own paths. It is an essential addition to any library focused on American history, women's studies, or the spirit of adventure.

Julie Danneberg, a third-generation Colorado native, grew up listening to stories about her grandmother, a miner's daughter, and her great-grandmother, an Irish immigrant turned miner's wife. Love of these women and their stories started her lifelong admiration of all courageous women of the West.