African American Women of the Old West
- 20 specific chapter questions:

1. How intimidating would it have been for Biddy Mason to take on her master in court? To what extent may her illiteracy have played a part in her reluctance to do so? 
CH. 1 “The Open Hand” 
p. 1

2. What accounts for the fact that Biddy Mason accepted her lot in life for so long? What was the turning point that enabled her to take control of her life? 
CH. 1 “The Open Hand” 
p. 1

3. Mary Fields is a study in contrasts. In what way did her rough demeanor hurt/help her? 
CH. 2 “A Force to be Dealt With” 
p. 13

4. In what way did Mary Fields’  devotion to her friend, Sarah Dunne (Mother Amadeus), affect the course of her life? 
CH. 2 “A Force to be Dealt With” 
p. 13

5. What was it that drove Jane Manning James to fight so hard for inclusion into the LDS Church when she was refused so often? How did this rejection personally affect her? 
CH. 3 “At Long Last” 
p. 27

6. How could Jane Manning James take her husband back after so many years and why did she do so? Did this surprise you? Why or why not? 
CH. 3 “At Long Last” 
p. 27

7. At what point in her life may Abby Fisher have considered herself a success and why? 
CH. 4 “The Complete Instructor” 
p. 41

8. What would Abby Fisher think if she knew that her cookbook had been resurrected and used over 125 years later? Could she have possibly foreseen this? 
CH. 4 “The Complete Instructor” 
p. 41

9. How could Clara Brown restrain herself from yelling out when her family was sold at auction and her youngest daughter was driven away in a cart? How could she raise her master’s children after her own children had been taken away from her? 
CH. 5 “Unbroken Bond” 
p. 53

10. How was it possible that Clara Brown harbored no ill feelings towards those who had made her suffer so? How much did her faith carry her in life? Could you forgive those who stole your children away from you? 
CH. 5 “Unbroken Bond” 
p. 53

11. How did their likes and differences draw Annie Box and Curly Neal together? Is it true that opposites attract? 
CH. 6 “Home Sweet Home” 
p. 65

12. Eventually when Oracle, Arizona was settled people brought their prejudices with them out west. How did Annie survive being snubbed in Oracle’s social circle? 
CH. 6 “Home Sweet Home” 
p. 65

13. Describe Nathaniel Ford’s character. Which of his actions vexed you the most and why? 
CH. 7 “Free at Last” 
p. 77

14. It is said that “A picture says a thousand words.” What does the photograph of Mary Jane Holmes Shipley Drake’s face say? 
CH. 7 “Free at Last” 
p. 77

15. Do you believe that some people are destined for greatness? How might this be true for Mary Ellen Pleasant? 
CH. 8 “The Second Act” 
p. 91

16. In what ways did Mary Ellen Pleasant best work around the confines of white society? Do you think she felt accepted in her life? Why or why not? 
CH. 8 “The Second Act” 
p. 91

17. How did Elizabeth Thorn Scott Flood bring communities together and garner support for establishing schools? Was she limited by the fact that she was a woman? 
CH. 9 “Like Mother, Like Daughter” 
p. 103

18. In what way was Elizabeth’s daughter, Lydia Flood’s, life most impacted by her mother? Could Elizabeth have foreseen what opportunities would be opened for her daughter? 
CH. 9 “Like Mother, Like Daughter” 
p. 103

19. Did Susie Revels Cayton’s privileged childhood help or hinder her in dealing with the discrimination that she encountered as an adult in Seattle, Washington? 
CH. 10 “The Voice of Reason” 
p. 115

20. What caused Susie Revels Cayton to find a new way to cope and effect change while her husband, Horace, felt defeated when the doors of opportunity closed for the Caytons in Seattle? 
CH. 10 “The Voice of Reason” 
p. 115