SD Humanities Council forced to discontinue Speakers Bureau
The arts and humanities have been hit hard by the current political climate. Funding cuts and staff reductions have impacted many programs, including the South Dakota Humanities Council’s “Speakers Bureau.” My topic, “Women Tamed the Frontier,” told stories of how women homesteaders changed the culture and the communities on the frontier. Starting with the Homestead […]
Iron Horse Claim tells Lizzy’s story
Medicine Creek Claim told the story of two sisters who left war-torn Missouri during the Civil War to start new lives in Dakota Territory. Except it didn’t tell both sisters’ stories. I had written three-quarters of the novel when I realized I had told Charlotte’s story. What about Lizzy? I had two choices. I could […]
Medicine Creek Claim Christmas on the prairie
In some ways, Christmas on the frontier looked very different from today’s holiday. It was less commercial, but some traditions have endured.
Women Doctors in Dakota Territory
Medicine was an unconventional career path for women. In 1871, American Medical Association President Alfred Stille stated that women were “morally unfit” to be physicians.
Inspiration: Land of the Burnt Thigh
Medicine Creek Claim is about two sisters who staked claims in Dakota Territory – much like Edith and Ida Mary Ammons. The Ammons sisters came to South Dakota in 1907, homesteading near the Lower Brule Indian Reservation. I
Two More (Fictional) Women Who Tamed the Frontier
The third book in the On the Dakota Frontier series, Medicine Creek Claim, is the story of two sisters who lived in Missouri during the Civil War.
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month celebrates the contributions women have made to the United States and recognizes the achievements women have made in a variety of fields.
A story of women’s friendships
A key storyline in Lone Tree Claim is the women’s friendships on the frontier. Throughout the book, there’s a recurring theme about the importance of women’s friendships.
All things Norwegian
Happy Syttende Mai! For those of you unfamiliar, Syttende Mai, the Seventeenth of May, is Norwegian Constitution Day. It’s the day in 1814 that the Constitution of Norway was signed at Eidsvoll, Norway. It’s (sort of) similar to the Fourth of July in the United States — without the fireworks. Flags are flown, there are […]