Women of the Texas frontier, collectively portrayed by Sarah Kensing in my upcoming novel, The Taken, were unsung stalwarts of the new and expanding civilization.It is typical of most warrior-based societies to portray women members as one-dimensional contributors to the band, tribe or family. A woman's contribution is invariably characterized in writing, song, and stories as that of "mother." This depiction was of course valued on the frontier as settlers were desirous of children, especially male children. It is, however, important to note that a woman's societal dictates went far beyond just producing children. Texas women were required to possess a multitude of desirable qualities that could be called upon and acted out no matter the circumstance.
As a result, a frontier woman was expected to not only be a mother, but also a pioneer, a homemaker, a warrior, a protector, a teacher, a preacher, a wife, a lover, a doctor, and a patriot. Therefore, the frontier woman had to at all times display the virtuous characteristics of strength, consideration, tolerance, forbearance, love, courage and faith.
In short, Texas women such as Margaret "Peggy" McCormick, Pamelia Mann, Francisca Panchita Alavez, Parmelia Parchman King, Susannah Wilkerson Dickinson, and Louis Cottle Jackson were just a few of many, who along with their frontier male companions, struggled mightily to afford future generations the luxury of an independent existence.
Mike Kearby's Texas copyright 2010
