Petticoat Pioneers

Focusing on the accomplishments of women who braved the challenges of the U.S. westward expansion throughout the 19th century, this well-done tape introduces us to eight individual "petticoat pioneers" and three women-oriented institutions that significantly contributed to a growing nation: Sacajawea, Mary Easton Sibley, Amanda Young Brown, Christiana Pope McCoy, Susan Shelby Magoffin, Maria Gertrudis Barcelo, Tabitha Brown, Biddy Mason, Oberlin College, the Harvey Girls, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Via the by-now familiar usage of stills, drawings, portraits, narration from primary sources, appropriate music, and silent-action recreations, we discover the impressive achievements of these women and agencies. An unfortunate omission in this otherwise stellar effort is the names of the women themselves: incredibly, they do not appear anywhere in print--not on the screen, the video cover, or the PR blurb. A student wishing to read about these historical personages would first have to figure out how to spell their names (try Sacajawea and Magoffin on for size), and I can tell you from ugly experience that a misspelled or conjectured name can remain unresearched forever. Despite this oversight, this video is recommended for its engaging content and attractive style. Aud: J, H, P. (K. Glaser)