Enriching Education: Women's History in Yosemite

 Much of Yosemite’s history has been told through the triumphs of the men who helped preserve the region for future generations through the creation of our National Parks System. Though the area had been inhabited by the Ahwahneechee people for thousands of years, John Muir, Galen Clark and Theodore Roosevelt are credited with creating the beautiful park we all enjoy today.

 

However, women paid an integral role in Yosemite’s early days as well. When the Gold Rush drew people to California, women took on non-traditional roles to help support their families, whether becoming business owners, naturalists or writing about their adventures.

 

Bridget Degnan moved from Ireland with her husband and supplemented his income by baking bread. Eventually, as more travelers came to the Yosemite Valley, she expanded her enterprise from bakery to restaurant to grocery store. Today, one of the park’s restaurants is named for the family. You’ve heard of Curry Village? Jennie Foster Curry and her husband ran a tent camp at the base of Glacier Point, which she carried on after his death, growing Curry Village from 25 tents to 650 tents, 60 cottages, a bakery, cafeteria, pool hall and more by 1922.

 

Sisters Stella, Bertha and Mabel Sweet and their friend Maybel Davis were the third group of women to climb Mt. Lyell and the first group to descend into Tuolumne Canyon in 1896. Sally Dutcher became the first woman to climb Half Dome in October 1875, accompanied by George Anderson and Galen Clark. She later worked as an assistant to photographer Carleton Watkins in his gallery. In a more modern context, Liz Robbins became the first woman to ascend the northwest face of Half Dome in 1967 with her husband and in 1973, Bev Johnson and Sybille Hectell completed the first all-female ascent of El Capitan.

• Why is it important to recognize often-overlooked female contributions in history? Recognizing the contributions of women in all facets of life has a huge impact on the self-esteem of young girls and gives future generations the inspiration to grow as leaders. Specifically, raising awareness of the roles that women played in the creation of Yosemite and pioneering of the American west may generate interest in careers related to public lands today. Since many of these women’s contributions were often “hidden,” it’s important to highlight that even in the 1800s, pioneering women stepped out of the traditional roles of the time to not only support their families but also to create profitable businesses. Many of the highlights in Yosemite Mariposa County today, can be traced back to the entrepreneurial women who became concessioners, rangers, naturalists, and artists.
• How do researchers find out more about contributions by women, especially if they were made in a time when women's contributions weren't often recognized? In some sectors, it may be more of a challenge, but Yosemite National Park has long highlighted the roles of women, including on its website. The Park Service has honored marginalized people from its past. Last year, the historic Chinese Laundry Building at the Wawona Hotel was dedicated with a new sign and exhibit honoring the contributions Chinese immigrants made to the park in the 1800s that had previously been overlooked.
• How can learning about historical women inspire women now? Much like in your first question, when we can demonstrate the diverse roles that women have participated in throughout history and up to today, it can serve as inspiration for the next generation. When girls and young women see themselves as an astronaut or park ranger or the Vice President, they are more likely to pursue what might be considered “male roles.” We have many women who pioneer in our local tourism industry today and look forward to seeing more women involved in it – whether as part of Yosemite or in our local hotels, restaurants, outfitting companies, wineries, breweries and more.

 

In downtown Mariposa, the award-winning Mariposa Museum and History Center is a great place to learn about pioneer women’s contributions to the region. For more information visit Yosemite.com.