I've just spent a day at the Ohio Fire Academy for my annual wildland fire refresher and pack test. The "pack test" for those of you who may not know, consists of walking three miles in 45 minutes or less...wearing a forty pound pack. If you pass the test, you're eligible for call outs to a wildland fire for the next year! Well, I passed in good time.
However, with that being said, today it's only right that I must pay tribute to one of the two extremely courageous women who made it possible for me to be a wildland firefighter...at least west of the Rockies. Who made it possible for me to move to Oregon, as I am possibly going to do once I have my degree.
Eliza Hart Spalding was born in Connecticut in 1807. In 1836, along with Narcissa Prentiss Whitman she became the first white woman on the Oregon Trail-an "unheard of journey for females." Eliza kept mostly to herself, was known for her artistic and linguistic skills, and her overall quiet strength. Today, she is considered to be the only truly successful member of the missionaries of Oregon Country, as well as pretty much the only one respected and taken seriously by the Native Americans that they ministered to.
Again-at the time of course, Eliza's autism didn't hold her back, her gender did. Some historians have even lamented this as well. Who knows how high up Eliza would have risen if only she had been given more of a chance-but sadly, of course, there was a gender barrier. She and Narcissa still continue to inspire thousands of women today-including myself.
A recommended book is The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick-a novel told through the eyes of Eliza's daughter, also named Eliza.
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