Norwegian immigrant and suffragist Helga Estby is remembered for her heroic seven-month walk from Spokane to New York City in , a publicity wager that she expected would pay her $10, and save the family farm from foreclosure. Leaving a husband and five children at home in Mica Creek, year-old Helga and her year-old daughter Clara set out from Spokane on May 6, , and walked rail lines east. Helga skillfully handled a publicity campaign, stopping at newspaper offices along their route. Inspired by journalist Nelly Bly (), Helga hoped one day to publish the story of their trip. Mother and daughter worked for food, lodging, and other needed items along the way -- never begged -- and were graciously aided by supportive and hospitable people, including famous politicians, Native Americans, journalists, and suffragists. But the journey was arduous. They climbed mountains; survived severe storms, floods, bitter cold, and heat waves; confronted wild animals; and escaped highwaymen. Together they wore out 32 pairs of shoes. Helga and Clara survived the trip of 4, miles and reached New York City on December 23, , only to find no cash prize at the end of their amazing journey.
Early YearAdditional Sites:
Carole Estby Dagg "Writing History as Young Women Lived it".
“Estby, Helga ()” an essay written by Margaret Riddle gives a summary of Helga’s life and trip. It can be located on the History Link website. September 23,
ylink."Helga Estby Lodge #47". Daughters of Norway. Helga Estby Lodge #47 includes members with ancestry representing all five Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland). The lodge hosts an annual Helga Estby Walk.
da Allen's rendition of “Here’s to the Women!” sung in celebration of Helga’s journey and the survival of her story. February 7,
es and Stories Blog: Exploring historic sites-the stories they tell; the stories they inspire is another site that offers an overview of Helga Estby’s story. March 11,
The Year We Were Famous: Helga And Clara Estby'S Walk Across A Changing America
The Year We Were Famous: Helga And Clara Estby'S Walk Across A Changing America
Bold Spirit: Helga Estby's Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America
"Desperate. Determined. Unwaveringly confident. In , a Norwegian immigrant named Helga Estby dares to cross miles of the American continent to win a $10, wager. On foot." "A mother of eight living children, she attempts to save her family's homestead in Eastern Washington after the depression had ravaged the American economy. Fearing homelessness and family poverty, Helga responds to a wager from a mysterious sponsor, casts off the cultural corsets of Victorian femininity and gambles her family's future by striking out with her eldest daughter, Clara, to try to be the first women to travel unescorted across the country: independent, audacious, alert, and armed with a Smith-and-Wesson revolver." "Leaving with only five dollars each and dressed in full-length skirts, they follow the railroads east as newspapers chronicle their adventures. Using wits, savvy, and guns to survive snowstorms, hunger, mountain lions, and the occasional thief, they visit Indian reservations, Western boomtowns, governors, mining towns, remote ranchers, politicians, suffragettes, and even president-elect William McKinley." "Accom
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