“...greatest American woman poet." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Best
known as the writer of the 1884 novel, Ramona,
Helen
Hunt Jackson was also an outspoken human rights activist, focusing
on Native American issues. She fought using the written word beginning
with the 1881 novel Century of Dishonor, in which she unveiled
the wrongdoings of our government toward Native Americans. It is still in print.
To
every member of Congress, she gave a copy inscribed with, "Look upon your
hands: they are stained with the blood of your relations." Due to her plucky personality and intellect,
Helen also collected many accomplished literary friends throughout her life
beginning with Emily Dickenson in childhood and later with Ralph Waldo Emerson,
and Oliver Wendell Holmes.
The Why
Behind Her Drive
Helen
experienced multiple tragedies in her life, including losing her mother at an
early age, and later her husband and two children. She used her writing skills to counter her
grief and in turn, it propelled her into the life of a professional writer. Eventually, she married again and traveled
extensively.
During
this time, the government systematically displaced Native Americans and forced
them into reservations without the means to support
themselves. The government then sold or
gave away their property to non-natives. Massacring natives was common as well. Highly disturbed by all of this, Helen
tirelessly dogged the government through letters and actions: publicizing wrongdoings, giving speeches, and petitioning
for laws and equal rights.
Winning
the Battle, but Not the War
Her
core focus at the time was to assist the Ponca tribe who had been removed from
their lands and received inadequate living conditions. Through her hard work and many letters to
President Hayes, he ensured that the Ponca could return home with enough money
to begin anew.
Helen
died of cancer before she realized the full extent of her labor. However, through her efforts, our government
could no longer hide its actions. History remembers her for bestowing on the
world great literary works that stand the test of time and as a champion of
Native American rights.
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