an their heroic deeds in time of war, but little is known of our
maternal ancestors—of the women who shared so patiently and
courageously the privations, struggles and sacrifices for the Republic,
in war and in peace, from the landing of the Pilgrims from the
Mayflower until the present time.
in cosmopolitan America, women of every race under the sun have had opportunity to "show the world the rarest excellence of woman in the exercise of the largest and truest liberty the world has ever known." It can be added that her achievements are unprecedented, enabling her to stand side by side with the noble men of the Nation in every onward and upward movement for the advancement of civilization and Christianity.
"The part taken by women in American history" begins with those women of our country's earliest days, giving a correct chronicle of their lives; followed by a true history of such of their descendants as have, to the present time, done anything in any line for the advancement of American civilization, enumerating them as follows:
- Aboriginal women.
- Women of the Mayflower.
- Women of Colonial Days.
- Women's part in the Revolution or War of Independence.
- Women's endurance during the continual conflict with the Indians during the early days of the Republic.
- Women's co-operation in building the pioneer churches, establishing schools and the laying of the foundation of our social relations.
- Women's part in the extension of the spirit of humanity, philanthropy, Christianity and civilization to the uttermost parts of the earth.
- Women's part in the pioneer's shibboleth "Westward the course of the empire takes its way" sharing in all the privations and hardships of the pioneers.
- Women's part as missionaries of Christianity, morality and education.
- Women's part in bringing about peaceful settlement of the conflict between the United States and Mexico in 1848.
- The prodigious sacrifices of the women, north and south, during the Civil War.
