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Story of Us: The women who shaped Montana
Story of Us: The women who shaped Montana
29:44
Published:

The inspiring stories of three Montana women who helped enrich Montana as we know today.

Story of Us: The women who shaped Montana
102: The Story of Us: The Women Who Shaped Montana
28:59
Published:
Rating: TV-PG

Explore the untold stories of more women who shaped Montana and left lasting legacies.

The Story of Us: The Women Who Shaped Montana

Follow the inspiring stories of notable Montana women and learn how they helped enrich and shape the Montana we know today. 

The Story of Us: The Women Who Shaped Montana Episode One

This documentary examines the extraordinary lives of three women who came from humble beginnings and achieved incredible feats despite obstacles and tragedies along the way. Women have always played important developmental roles in the history of Montana, but often have their contributions overshadowed. The stories of Sarah Bickford, Maggie Smith Hathaway, and Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail are individually unique, but all feature a strong Montana woman aspiring to do better and be better. It is time to celebrate their achievements, understand their faults, be inspired by their determination, and applaud the spirit that drove them to help change and shape Montana. This is a production by North by Northwest and The Extreme History Project, with support from The Montana History Foundation, Humanities Montana, The Montana Film Office, and the Greater Montana Foundation. 

The Story of Us: The Women Who Shaped Montana Episode Two

The Story of Us: The Women Who Shaped Montana is a historical documentary that highlights the lives of remarkable women whose contributions have often been overlooked.  Through their determination, resilience, and vision, these women made a lasting impact on Montana’s landscape.  Helena Clarke, a woman of Blackfeet and white descent, broke barriers as one of Montana’s early female elected officials.  Rose Hum Lee, a pioneering Chinese American sociologist, contributed invaluable insights into the dynamics of America’s Chinatowns, shaping scholarly understanding of immigrant communities. Rose Gordon, a Black woman who dedicated her life to serving the community of White Sulphur Springs.  Through her tireless efforts, Gordon uplifted her neighbors and fostered a sense of unity, becoming a beloved figure in Montana’s social fabric.  Their stories, often overlooked, reveal the deep and enduring influence women have had on Montana’s history. 

Coming SOON to Montana PBS in November 2025! The Story of Us: The Women Who Shaped Montana Episode 3

The Story of Us: The Women Who Shaped Montana continues with Episode III, exploring the remarkable lives of three women whose courage and creativity left a lasting imprint on the Treasure State.  Ella Knowles Haskell, Montana’s first female lawyer and a political trailblazer, fought for women’s voices to be heard in the late 1800s.  Fannie Sperry Steele, a fearless bronc rider from the Prickly Pear Valley, rose to national fame at a time when women were rarely seen in the rodeo arena, breaking barriers for women in sports and western culture.  Nancy Cooper Russell, wife and business partner of artist Charles M. Russell, preserved and promoted his legacy while also shaping Montana’s cultural identity through her own resilience and vision.  Through powerful storytelling, archival materials, and expert insight, this episode highlights the depth and diversity of Montana women’s contributions to law, art, and western heritage.