Women of Shakespeare (Emma Marble Muir, Rita Wells Hill, Janaloo Hill Hough)
In southwestern New Mexico, two miles south of Lordsburg, a small vestige of a town called Shakespeare survives as one of the state’s well-known ghost towns. Were it not for three women, the town would have faded into oblivion both physically and in memory. Emma...
Women of the Camino Real
Starting in 1598, when Juan de Oñate led the first colony from the Zacatecas area of what is today Mexico, thousands of women traveled over the Camino Real in both directions. In any season, whether over the Jornada del Muerto (the longer river route), or through the...
Sarah Jane Creech, “Sadie” Orchard
As with many colorful and charismatic historical characters, history and legend have entwined with Sadie Orchard, producing widely varying accounts of her life and lifestyle. While conflicting information and interpretations of her life can complicate her biography,...
Mary Ann Deming Crocker
Mary Ann Deming was born on November 26, 1827, the daughter of John Jay Deming, whose sawmill operation in Mishawaka, Indiana, had made him wealthy. Growing up, she attended a private seminary for girls in New York. Around 1850, she met Charles Crocker, who worked for...
Maria Gutierrez Spencer
María Gutiérrez Spencer seems to have found her calling at age five on her very first day of school: Maria, who spoke only Spanish, could not follow the English instructions her teacher was giving her, and she was sent to the principal’s office. She would go on to...
Magnolia Ellis, “Magnificent Magnolia”
Hot Springs, New Mexico, has long been famous for its healthy climate and many natural hot springs. After committing her life to helping others heal, Magnolia Ellis moved to Hot Springs, opened a clinic, and began using her knowledge, confidence, and a natural power...
Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890
In the foothills of Pinos Altos, in the small town of Hanover by Silver City, Mexican-American miners walked out to protest unfair working conditions, initiating a strike that lasted from October of 1950 to January of 1952. The Ladies Auxiliary 890 is rightly credited...
Doña Eufemia, “La Valerosa,” “The Spanish Entrada of 1598”
The colonizing expedition of New Mexico led by Don Juan de Oñate was marked by disagreements and uncertainty among the Viceroy and royal officers about who should lead the expedition. The start of the journey was delayed, and even after the expedition was enroute and...