Erin, you should do a special report about We Wah, the Zuni Princess. Her story is one of the most fascinating in our history and I have personally viewed and handled the art work she left in at the Smithsonian Museum in DC.
Her story is absolutely fascinating, about a person who lived her Trans life with great bravery and one of the most astonishing and remarkable tales of fate that led her to be invited to Presidential functions and given recognition by the political heads of her time.
She, like us, also went thru a period after her death and finding out she was born a male, was systematically erased from DC records. But her art and work has been preserved to this day.
Leaving her out of trans American history is a huge mistake.
Thanks for posting the link to your great essay, Briana! I enjoyed reading your work! l like your style of prose. Best wishes for every future success!
Thank you for that article. I find it accurate, but somewhat incomplete in that it did not mention her relationship with the Stephanson’s children during their years long stay at Zuni.
Also the fact that We Wah was also called to DC to live at the Smithsonian while working there. When she was invited to DC, she had never left her village of Zuni, and traveled from Zuni to DC by herself and alone, by train. That alone defines her courage and sense of adventure.
Her works are available for personal inspection and viewing in the Smithsonian today, by appointment and adequate notice. I have personally visited them in DC and found them to be almost magical and endearing in their ability to connect Trans people today with our history. Her works are also available, along with an explanation of the symbols, meanings and stories in the book The Pottery of Zuni Pueblo, by Dwight P. Landon and Francis H. Harlow, available on Amazon Books.
I have visited the Zuni Pueblo Cultural Center in Zuni, NM and talked with members there, who consider, even now, as one of their most famous and respected ancestors, and has copies of Will Roscoe’s book for sale in their lobby.
Thanks for adding more context to her story. I wasn't writing a book so I didn't fill in all the details at the time. Next time I'm in New Mexico I will definitely visit the Zuni Center and find that book!
Also, I fully expect her story and exhibit to be erased from the Smithsonian under Trump's new anti-DEI agenda.
In all honesty, I don’t think that they will do that under the guise of DEI. The artifacts are very historical and would most likely be returned to Zuni. I believe that they are that important to the Pueblo and its history.
The Stephensons are a story in their own right also. Both of them were renowned anthropologists. After a few years of living in Zuni and recording their time there with the new invention they called a camera, the husband turned native and became a member of the tribe, and the wife returned with their children to DC and was the first director of the Smithsonian. This made her semi famous and invited to many DC functions.
As was the habit back then, after attending Sunday religious services, people of importance or favor would walk around visiting other people and having tea and snacks all afternoon. Before leaving each visitation, they would leave their business card and thank you. She had We Wah accompany her on those days and introduced her around to all the best people there. That’s how We Wah became as well received and favored in DC.
Another interesting thing about la Chevalière d'Éon was that according to the Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, she may have been intersex: "the surgeon ... made a post-mortem examination of the body, and ‘found the male organs in every respect perfectly formed.’ And yet the body seems to have had many feminine characteristics. It is described as presenting ‘unusual roundness in the formation of the limbs. The throat was by no means masculine; breast remarkably full; arms, hands, and fingers those of a stout female; legs and feet corresponding with the arms.’"
I wrote about trans history that was never taught in school (https://wokeaf.substack.com/p/transgender-history-that-was-never) a few years ago but it's great to hear about even more trans pioneers. Even the Sumerians 5000 years ago had male priests that were transformed into women in a sacred ritual honoring their goddess Inanna.
Good work Erin! The only figure familiar to me was the Chevalière d’Éon, whom I first read about as a child in a book of spies. The rest I’d sadly never heard of. Wow!
Thank you, Erin. I am one of those "arm chair" historians. Thanks to my Dad, Robert [1940 - 2022] and my Grade 10 history teacher [1978] - Mr. Fred Israels, to name only two individuals who encouraged, and supported my interest for the genuine love for history. History will never be old for me because there will always be something new to learn. I say many of our Substack readers who follow the line of thought illustrated by Erin's historical research. Our classroom environments during our formal education years offered only the tip of that iceberg of knowledge available to us. To cite one example, I look forward to every redacted document, declassified, released for public review on social media. The history of our amazing transgender community is a story of lives embarking on journeys unique on so many levels. Wow. This post is another of my heartfelt, and sincere thank you to all of them - the pioneers of the past, today and in the future. Sending lots of Love from London, Ontario, Canada. xo
History is, as I've found, always deeper, more interesting, and 𝘷𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 more queer than is ever taught in school. 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 when it concerns historical figures who were, themselves, queer.
Thanks, Erin, for this post honoring our ancestors.
No movie yet, but there is a recent musical about Cashier titled The Civility of Albert Cashier. Also, please note that for hundreds of years trans people, mostly trans women, have lived openly in many other societies around the world, including North America, South Asia, and East Asia, and their stories remain largely untold.
Erin, you should do a special report about We Wah, the Zuni Princess. Her story is one of the most fascinating in our history and I have personally viewed and handled the art work she left in at the Smithsonian Museum in DC.
Her story is absolutely fascinating, about a person who lived her Trans life with great bravery and one of the most astonishing and remarkable tales of fate that led her to be invited to Presidential functions and given recognition by the political heads of her time.
She, like us, also went thru a period after her death and finding out she was born a male, was systematically erased from DC records. But her art and work has been preserved to this day.
Leaving her out of trans American history is a huge mistake.
The book by Will Roscoe tells her tale.
I wrote an essay about her here: https://wokeaf.substack.com/p/the-story-of-wewha-the-two-spirited
Thanks for posting the link to your great essay, Briana! I enjoyed reading your work! l like your style of prose. Best wishes for every future success!
Thanks! She was great to research as well!
Thank you for that article. I find it accurate, but somewhat incomplete in that it did not mention her relationship with the Stephanson’s children during their years long stay at Zuni.
Also the fact that We Wah was also called to DC to live at the Smithsonian while working there. When she was invited to DC, she had never left her village of Zuni, and traveled from Zuni to DC by herself and alone, by train. That alone defines her courage and sense of adventure.
Her works are available for personal inspection and viewing in the Smithsonian today, by appointment and adequate notice. I have personally visited them in DC and found them to be almost magical and endearing in their ability to connect Trans people today with our history. Her works are also available, along with an explanation of the symbols, meanings and stories in the book The Pottery of Zuni Pueblo, by Dwight P. Landon and Francis H. Harlow, available on Amazon Books.
I have visited the Zuni Pueblo Cultural Center in Zuni, NM and talked with members there, who consider, even now, as one of their most famous and respected ancestors, and has copies of Will Roscoe’s book for sale in their lobby.
Thanks for adding more context to her story. I wasn't writing a book so I didn't fill in all the details at the time. Next time I'm in New Mexico I will definitely visit the Zuni Center and find that book!
Also, I fully expect her story and exhibit to be erased from the Smithsonian under Trump's new anti-DEI agenda.
In all honesty, I don’t think that they will do that under the guise of DEI. The artifacts are very historical and would most likely be returned to Zuni. I believe that they are that important to the Pueblo and its history.
The Stephensons are a story in their own right also. Both of them were renowned anthropologists. After a few years of living in Zuni and recording their time there with the new invention they called a camera, the husband turned native and became a member of the tribe, and the wife returned with their children to DC and was the first director of the Smithsonian. This made her semi famous and invited to many DC functions.
As was the habit back then, after attending Sunday religious services, people of importance or favor would walk around visiting other people and having tea and snacks all afternoon. Before leaving each visitation, they would leave their business card and thank you. She had We Wah accompany her on those days and introduced her around to all the best people there. That’s how We Wah became as well received and favored in DC.
I would hope not but Trump has threatened to force the Smithsonian to remove any and all exhibits that don't meet his standards of "proper ideology".
I also wrote about this here: https://wokeaf.substack.com/p/trumps-cultural-purge-comes-for-museums
We are not "new", we've always been here.
Another interesting thing about la Chevalière d'Éon was that according to the Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, she may have been intersex: "the surgeon ... made a post-mortem examination of the body, and ‘found the male organs in every respect perfectly formed.’ And yet the body seems to have had many feminine characteristics. It is described as presenting ‘unusual roundness in the formation of the limbs. The throat was by no means masculine; breast remarkably full; arms, hands, and fingers those of a stout female; legs and feet corresponding with the arms.’"
“Uncertain of what to do, they brought her to a doctor, who concluded that there was nothing wrong with her and advised they let her live as herself.”
One sentence that shows how wrong our society is.
“He was forced into a dress, and the dehumanizing treatment marked the beginning of his physical and emotional decline.”
On the other hand the same social disease did exist back then, but at least Albert’s comrades stood by him.
It is disappointing that society has not changed. On the other hand, nor has trans courage.
Those are amazing stories, Erin. Thank you.
I wrote about trans history that was never taught in school (https://wokeaf.substack.com/p/transgender-history-that-was-never) a few years ago but it's great to hear about even more trans pioneers. Even the Sumerians 5000 years ago had male priests that were transformed into women in a sacred ritual honoring their goddess Inanna.
Fabulous piece! Thank you.
What is so encouraging, is how their friends and comrades stood up for them at the time.
The Original Allies. They deserve to be remembered. too!
Indeed they do!
Please feel free to report on all the trans historical figures you run across. I can't get enough of this.
I will keep this email forever. It is everything.
Good work Erin! The only figure familiar to me was the Chevalière d’Éon, whom I first read about as a child in a book of spies. The rest I’d sadly never heard of. Wow!
Thank you, this will be good to share!
Thank you, Erin. I am one of those "arm chair" historians. Thanks to my Dad, Robert [1940 - 2022] and my Grade 10 history teacher [1978] - Mr. Fred Israels, to name only two individuals who encouraged, and supported my interest for the genuine love for history. History will never be old for me because there will always be something new to learn. I say many of our Substack readers who follow the line of thought illustrated by Erin's historical research. Our classroom environments during our formal education years offered only the tip of that iceberg of knowledge available to us. To cite one example, I look forward to every redacted document, declassified, released for public review on social media. The history of our amazing transgender community is a story of lives embarking on journeys unique on so many levels. Wow. This post is another of my heartfelt, and sincere thank you to all of them - the pioneers of the past, today and in the future. Sending lots of Love from London, Ontario, Canada. xo
History is, as I've found, always deeper, more interesting, and 𝘷𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘺 more queer than is ever taught in school. 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 when it concerns historical figures who were, themselves, queer.
Absolutely!
Thank you, Erin. Your work is so valuable, relevant, and spot on. Much gratitude.
Thanks, Erin, for this post honoring our ancestors.
No movie yet, but there is a recent musical about Cashier titled The Civility of Albert Cashier. Also, please note that for hundreds of years trans people, mostly trans women, have lived openly in many other societies around the world, including North America, South Asia, and East Asia, and their stories remain largely untold.
Certifiable badasses, all.