Emigrant Women of the 19th Essay

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That is not to say that these women did not continue to be challenged. The weather, the loneliness, the hostilities, and the isolation all took their toll on Plains women, but they were resolute and determined, and held out hope for the future, and so, for the most part, they managed to survive and even come to love their life on the Plains. One of the most famous Plains women is Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote about her family's experiences in the "Little House" series. Riley quotes her as saying these problems were "a natural part of life'" (Riley 104), and another woman saying, "those years on the Plains were hard years but I grew to like the West and now I would not like to live any other place'" (Riley 104). As women became accustomed to their new home, they came to love it, and if they did not, they left, leaving their homes and work to other new settlers who might appreciate it more than they had.

While many women were "dragged" off to the Plains because their husbands wanted to build a new life, many women who moved to the Plains had the loving support of their family, and later friends, to help them survive. They needed a strong support group in order to deal with the rigors of everyday life, and they often lived far away from the next settlers, so socializing was not often an option. As Riley notes, "In the patriarchal family structure of the time, men were often slow to recognize the importance of women's labor, allow women a voice in family decisions, and extend understanding for women's concerns" (Riley 105). However, there are numerous accounts of women who received support and encouragement from their families and loved ones, and that made a great difference in their will to survive the rigors of the Plains. Riley writes, "Army wives Ada Vogdes and Elizabeth Custer both felt that the hardships of their lives as women in western forts were great by offset by the courtesy and consideration of their husbands, other officers, and enlisted men" (Riley 105). Many women enjoyed the support of their husbands and sons, as well, and that make a great difference in their attitudes.

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As more women moved to the Plains, they began to form friendships that also helped them survive the rigors of life on the Great Plains, and those relationships remained important throughout their lives. Riley continues, "And they endured conflict with family members, neighbors, and members of other cultural groups by preserving and seeking the companionship of others, especially other women" (Riley 105). They also wrote, played or sang music, and read to help pass the time and to enrich their souls, which helped lead to more happiness and contentment on the Prairies. Riley notes, "On the Plains, as elsewhere, women turned to each other for company, encouragement, information, and help in times of need" (Riley 108). Without the support of friends and loved ones, women might have found it far more difficult to survive and overcome obstacles on the Plains, and many of those women without support did not overcome these obstacles. However, for the most part, women did overcome these challenges, because they were hopeful, determined, creative, and had loving support.

In conclusion, there are certainly many examples of women who did not manage to overcome the hardships of Great Plains living, and they gave up in despair. However, there are numerous examples of resilient women who worked hard, never gave up hope, and used the support of the people around them to survive and thrive on the Plains. They saw opportunities ahead of them, and they never lost sight of those hopes for happiness and success. They came to love their homes and their lives, and they learned how to deal with the many obstacles the Plains offered up on a daily basis. They were strong women, but they were also independent, free-spirited, and not afraid to face the future, whatever it brought their way......

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