2. Polly Bemis: An American Pioneer By Ms. Woo April 2003 U.S. History

3. What is a pioneer? Definitions: - Person who settles in a part of the country, preparing it for others - Person who goes first, paves, or prepares the way for others STRUGGLE IS KEY

4. Who was Polly Bemis? Born Lalu Nathoy September 11, 1853; Passed November 6, 1933 Occupation(s): Farmer, Waitress, Caregiver Chinese-American Fearless and brave in life; strong in spirit Married to Charlie Bemis

5. Background on Polly Bemis Born in a northern province in China Sold by father Sold into slavery to America Settled in the mining town of Warrens, Idaho

6. Polly’s Journey to America By boat across the Pacific Ocean Arrival in San Francisco, California By boat and packhorse to Idaho

7. Polly’s New “Home” Warrens, Idaho – mining town, frontier Salmon Canyon, Idaho -- renamed Polly Place

8. Polly’s Struggles as a Woman Femininity: Chinese ideas of beauty Vulnerability: one woman alone Femininity: American ideas of womanhood

9. Polly’s Struggles as a Chinese Immigrant to America Language Barrier Homesickness Loneliness Anti-Chinese Movement Fear of Deportation Unequal before the law

10. What Makes Polly Bemis a Pioneer Woman? The first Chinese woman to settle in Warrens, Idaho An example for other Chinese women to “make it” from slavery Following in the footsteps of African Americans who fought for freedom One of the first Chinese woman to own land (through a mining claim)

11. Credits and Sources: McCunn, Ruthanne Lum. Thousand Pieces of Gold. Beacon Press: Boston. 1981. “Outlaw Women.” http://www.outlawwomen.com/PollyBemis.htm. 21 April 2003.http://www.outlawwomen.com/PollyBemis.htm “Angel Island.” http://www.sandiego- online.com/forums/chinese/htmls/angel.htm. 21 April 2003.http://www.sandiego- online.com/forums/chinese/htmls/angel.htm “San Francisco Museum.” http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist1/1874.html. 21 April 2003. http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist1/1874.html