Social Reformer. She was the first Native American (Northern Paiute) woman known to secure a copyright for her book and to publish it in the English language, "Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims." Her Paiute Indian name was "Thocmetony" or Shell Flower. She worked throughout her life to be an advocate between her people and the white people, to defend Paiute rights, and to create an understanding. She was a lecturer, activist, school organizer, and an author. By the time she was 14 she could speak five languages: English, Spanish and three Native American dialects. She attended convent school at San Jose, California acquiring more knowledge and experience in the new culture. She pleaded the Indian's cause in Washington, D.C., giving more than 400 speeches to gain support for the Paiutes. Many of her speeches were given on the East Coast through the support of Elizabeth Peabody and Mary Peabody Mann. She was the founder of "Peabody's Institute," a school for Indian children. After the death of her second husband, the school closed. With her health failing, she moved to Idaho to spend her last days with her sister Elma. There she died from tuberculosis at the age of 47. Sarah Winnemucca will always be remembered as a dedicated Native American woman who belonged to two cultures, treated with indifference by the United States Government. Disillusioned and betrayed, she died before she completed her mission, believing herself to be a failure.
Social Reformer. She was the first Native American (Northern Paiute) woman known to secure a copyright for her book and to publish it in the English language, "Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims." Her Paiute Indian name was "Thocmetony" or Shell Flower. She worked throughout her life to be an advocate between her people and the white people, to defend Paiute rights, and to create an understanding. She was a lecturer, activist, school organizer, and an author. By the time she was 14 she could speak five languages: English, Spanish and three Native American dialects. She attended convent school at San Jose, California acquiring more knowledge and experience in the new culture. She pleaded the Indian's cause in Washington, D.C., giving more than 400 speeches to gain support for the Paiutes. Many of her speeches were given on the East Coast through the support of Elizabeth Peabody and Mary Peabody Mann. She was the founder of "Peabody's Institute," a school for Indian children. After the death of her second husband, the school closed. With her health failing, she moved to Idaho to spend her last days with her sister Elma. There she died from tuberculosis at the age of 47. Sarah Winnemucca will always be remembered as a dedicated Native American woman who belonged to two cultures, treated with indifference by the United States Government. Disillusioned and betrayed, she died before she completed her mission, believing herself to be a failure.
Bio by: Beverly
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