Released on = December 9, 2006, 12:25 pm

Press Release Author = Linda Weaver Clarke

Industry = Entertainment

Press Release Summary = Part historical monument, part roadside Americana, the
Madonna of the Trail is a series of 12 identical monuments dedicated to the spirit
of pioneer women in the United States. They were placed in each of twelve states
from Maryland to California along the historic National Memorial Highway.

Press Release Body =
Part historical monument, part roadside Americana, the Madonna of the Trail is a
series of 12 identical monuments dedicated to the spirit of pioneer women in the
United States. They were placed in each of twelve states from Maryland to
California along the historic National Memorial Highway. Erected in 1928 and 1929
under commission by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the statues were
funded through the efforts of Harry S. Truman.

They depict a pioneer woman in a sunbonnet carrying a baby and holding the barrel
of a rifle with the other hand while a small boy clutches at her skirts. Most are
placed with a westward-facing gaze.

Truman, at the time, was a judge and not yet president. At a dedication, he is
quoted as saying, "They were just as brave or braver than their men because, in
many cases, they went with sad hearts and trembling bodies. They went, however,
and endured every hardship that befalls a pioneer."

"Sad hearts and trembling bodies." Undoubtedly that was the case for most women,
being reluctant pioneers at the behest of their men or families. But what of
those who voluntarily sought out the adventure and freedom promised by the Wild
West? The literature is scant. Isabella Bird's 1873 memoir, A Lady's Life in the
Rocky Mountains stands virtually alone in its genre. Now a new book has appeared
to help fill the subject: Melinda and the Wild West by Linda Weaver Clarke.
Melinda fled the stifling society of Boston to seek adventure in southern Idaho.
The book is available from American Book Publishers at Publisher Direct
Bookstore:
http://www.pdbookstore.com/comfiles/pages/LindaWeaverClarke.shtml or at bookstores
everywhere.

Whether a reluctant or a true pioneer, the history of our westward migration has
benefited greatly from the strength, vision and character of the untold thousands
of Madonnas of the trail.


Web Site = http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com

Contact Details = To learn more about Linda and her novel, visit
http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com or Publisher Direct Bookstore at
http://www.pdbookstore.com/comfiles/pages/LindaWeaverClarke.shtml.