Civilizing The Savage: The Women's National Indian Association, 1879-1901
Date of Graduation
Summer 1994
Degree
Master of Arts in History
Department
History
Committee Chair
Larry Burt
Abstract
This thesis traces the growth and development of the Women's National Indian Association from its inception in 1879 to its transformation into the National Indian Association in 1901. These findings are based upon original research in primary resource material. The principal sources used include the WNIA's annual reports (1883-1901), its numerous publications and the writings of influential members, and its newspaper, The Indian's Friend. This organization had a tremendous impact upon the formation of government Indian policy, and received credit for spawning the General Allotment Act. The WNIA surged to the forefront of a movement on behalf of all-female missionary societies to become national in scope. The association's growth and achievement closely paralleled the health and activity of its dynamic leader, Amelia Stone Quinton. This thesis provides a case study into an organization that represents both an archetypical friends of the Indian group as well as a late nineteenth century female benevolent society.
Subject Categories
History
Copyright
© Daniel L. Ragsdale
Recommended Citation
Ragsdale, Daniel L., "Civilizing The Savage: The Women's National Indian Association, 1879-1901" (1994). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 994.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/994
Dissertation/Thesis
