Enjoy a Chautauqua performance of Unconventional Women of the West featuring Helen Hunt Jackson (Poet and Indian Rights Activist), Mary Rippon (first female professor at the University of Colorado), Josie Bassett (Homesteader and Cattle Rustler), and Katharine Lee Bates (inspired to write America the Beautiful after her visit to Pikes Peak).

Helen Hunt Jackson: Unknown-1885: Indian Rights Activist, Poet

Mrs. Jackson was one of the most successful writers of her day. Through her dedication to Indian reform during the last five years of her life, she wrote herself into American History. Inductee in the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame. Portrayed by Gretchen Payne.

Mary Rippon: 1850-1935: Professor

The first female professor at the University of Colorado, she taught at a time when women professors were almost unheard of. Her years of service at Colorado University: 1878-1909. Highly professional, Miss Rippon led a "double" life that was only discovered several decades after her death. Inductee in Colorado Women's Hall of Fame. Portrayed by Charleen Pazar.

Josie Bassett: 1874-1964: Homesteader and Cattle Rustler

Notorious, generous, strong-willed and loveable--mix those qualities together and you've got Miss Bassett, a Brown's Park, Colorado/Utah homesteader who lived a long life on her own terms. Portrayed by Judie Hinton.

Katharine Lee Bates: 1859-1929: Poet

A professor at Wellesley College, she wrote the words to "America the Beautiful" while visiting Pikes Peak in 1893. Inductee in Songwriters Hall of Fame. Portrayed by Kyle Neidt.

The Legendary Ladies

Celebrating 25 years of living history, the non-profit organization, The Legendary Ladies, showcases the lives of real historical women who impacted the West. With 19 members portraying 40 characters, they research, write, and perform the true life stories of women. In the program, "Unconventional Women of the West", a costumed announcer introduces four characters. Each historically accurate monologue is 6-8 minutes long. By providing several costumed vignettes during a single performance, audiences learn about a variety of extraordinary women and are often inspired to read more about them.

Presented in partnership with Two Rivers Chautauqua.