New Mexico Heroines of the Twentieth Century

During the twentieth century, New Mexico women of diverse ethnicities, backgrounds, beliefs, and persuasions have distinguished themselves in wide-ranging fields of interests and attainment. Groundbreaking women in New Mexico have included scientists, explorers, educators, entertainers, healers, politicians, activists, artists, musicians, and writers. Names like Mary Austin, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Willa Cather spring readily to mind. Lesser-known names such as Frances Nunnery or Ida Jackson have equally compelling stories. Jenny Vincent performed with Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger and was still entertaining fellow retirement home residents at age 102. Agnes Martin's paintings sold for millions as she entered her nineties. Who could resist her stricture to "live life as a verb, not as a noun?"