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Bethenia Owens-Adair, First Woman Doctor in the West
Program Categories
Educational Programs, Historical Programs and Characters, Storytellers
Audience Age
grade 2 and up
The First Woman Doctor in the West is an historical role playing encounter with the adventurous, outspoken Bethenia Owens-Adair, MD. The doctor meets and talks with listeners as if they were back in 1895, when it was not thought fitting for a lady to be a doctor. She tells of traveling West on the Oregon Trail in 1843, growing up on the frontier and marrying/divorcing as a teenager. The respectable pioneer relates how she was a teacher, milliner and homeopathic doctor before becoming a MD. She uses maps and pictures
$300. Plus mileage
Group Size
prefer 60 -- but up to 200
Program Length
45 mins
4 music stands for visuals
Last Modified
05/22/2014
Recent Library/School Appearances by Kate Carney's "Heroic Women Talk" - Living History programs
Manchester by the Sea Public Library
Manchester by the Sea, MA
978-526-7711
Morse Insitute Library
Natick, MA
508-647-6521
Tewksbury Library
Tewksbury, MA
978-640-4490
Performer’s Contact Information
Kate Carney's "Heroic Women Talk" - Living History programs
Kate Carney51 Pettee St. #31
Newton, MA 02464
View All Programs Offered by Kate Carney's "Heroic Women Talk" - Living History programs
"Kate's performance as Bethenia Owens-Adair was enthralling -- I understood why the oral tradition has lasted thousands of years! I learned more than history; I learned what gumption it took anyone, especially women, to overcome the constant challenges of the frontier." -- Jane Schweinsburg, Coventry RI Library "What a pleasure and surprise to see how much had gone into your character study - you did a splendid job of capturing her personality, style and history. And you did an equally fine job of answering audience questions. A thoroughly enjoyable learning experience for all." -- Paula Ogier, Cambridge Center for Adult Education "We were enthusiastic about this character's life. Students enjoyed how you introduced us to courageous women we'd not heard of before. These are ordinary women they can understand and identify with." -- Joan Godsey, 5th grade teacher, Leverett Elem School