The Roles of Pioneer Women
Pioneer women were a big part of the westward expansion. They were mothers and took care of the children while the men hunted or fought the Native Americans . They farmed and worked the land by harvesting vegetables and planting crops. They established homes and towns. They wove clothes for their children, husbands, and for themselves. The women also created churches and schools.
Pioneer women were not always "women". Girls learned to grow up fast, and if not, were forced to. Marriage as young as 14 and 15 was very common. Babies were born in the roughest conditions. Many died and the women would not only have the heartbreak of the infants death, but also of having to leave behind the body in a place that they knew they would never again see.
Once a family had reached their destination, hired hands that had accompanied these families west often married into the family. A house would need to be built, and as many arrived in the late summer or fall, that meant that this work often would be done in the cold of winter. At the first sign of spring, a garden would need to be planted. This was hard work and the women often did much of this themselves. The pioneer women were strong and great rolemodels for the children.