Oregon Honors Historical Women in 21 Museums in 2012 and New Book called GRIST Tells of the Woman Who was the First Novelist in Oregon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Salem, Oregon, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) January 26, 2012 -- Museums are not just honoring those women who worked to get the vote, but also women who were determined and creative.
RC Marlen’s book GRIST tells the story of Margaret Jewett Bailey: Oregon’s first published poet (1846, Oregon Spectator newspaper), first novelist (1854, published The Grains), and the first woman to come from eastern United States and farm a homestead (1839).

Summary of the book, GRIST: A Story of Life in Oregon Country, 1835-1854

Denied recognition and acceptance by the white people in Oregon Country, Margaret Jewett Bailey, the first novelist of the Northwest, faded into oblivion after an attempt was made to destroy all copies of her novel. Although she and her husband William J. Bailey arrived in the mid-1830s and worked beside such well-known historic figures as Jason Lee and John McLoughlin, today few know of the Baileys. Why? Their story is explosive.

In 1835, William arrived at the Methodist Mission with a long tomahawk gash in his face and later would avenge the attack; in 1837, Margaret was among the first seven white women to arrive by ship from eastern United States, and she quickly made enemies of the missionaries but friends of the Kalapuyan Tribe. Their story presents surprising views of historical figures and events from a perspective not usually seen.

Although, the book is classified as historical fiction, the author RC Marlen strove to make the events reflect the accurate history of Oregon.

Presentation by RC Marlen on March 10, 2012 at Champoeg State Park - 2:00 p.m.
The author of GRIST: A Story of Life in Oregon Country, 1835-1854 will give the talk: Margaret Jewett Bailey – An Enigma.

More information about this free presentation at: www.champoeg.org

Books from Sunbird Press can be ordered in any bookstore or from wholesale houses; Champoeg State Park carries the book, as well as, the Willamette Heritage Center at The Mill and Willamette University Store in Salem, Oregon.

More Information:
About the museum displays: www.willametteheritage.org
About Sunbird Press and books: www.rcmarlen.com

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