American West Jewelry’s designs honor not only YOU, our beautiful collectors, but also the notable women throughout history who inspire us with their strength, spirit and adventurous nature. To wrap up Women’s Heritage Month, we are celebrating some of the women who have significantly contributed and influenced the history of the Southwest. Saddle up and learn about the women we admire ~ some of which are mentioned on Our Heritage page.
Reference: National Women's Hall of Fame
Annie Dodge Wauneka
Annie Dodge Wauneka was a public health advocate, educator and leader who became the Nation’s first female tribal council member in 1951. She also served on the advisory boards for the US Public Health Service and the US Surgeon General. The goal of her lifelong work was to improve and modernize the health care and medicinal practices of the Navajo Reservation community by sharing valuable knowledge. Among her honorable accomplishments was her work to develop the English-Navajo dictionary that translates medical terms and techniques, which furthered the ability of the Navajo people to understand public health the way it was taught in public schools and universities. In honor of her accomplishments, she was the first Native American to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom! After her death in 1984, the Navajo Council designated her to be remembered and celebrated as “The Legendary Mother of the Navajo Nation”. We admire her devotion to caring for others and her accomplishments that had a significant impact on the quality of life for her community.
Reference: The Mabel Dodge Luhan House
Mabel Dodge Luhan
Mabel Dodge Luhan was born in New York but left her legacy in New Mexico. She is honored as a famous writer and patron of the arts. She lived during a historic time when American society was going through significant transformations ~ including industrialization, westward expansion and social-political movements. These changes inspired her sense of adventure and moved her west to New Mexico in 1917. She initially arrived in Santa Fe but instead fell in love with the city of Taos located within the desert valley of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Taos is famous for its adventurous landscape, fine art experience and rich culture that blends Native American and Hispanic traditions together. Mabel built a home there and invited many writers, musicians and other intellectuals to stay with her and experience life in Taos. Many of these people who stayed at The Mabel Dodge Luhan House would be inspired to create some of their best work. Today, the House is a Historic Inn and Conference Center that honors Mabel’s legacy ~ preserving Native American land and culture. American West Jewelry admires Mabel for her courage to explore, her sense of community and her ability to share the experience of being inspired.
Reference: Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
Georgia O’Keeffe
Georgia O’Keeffe was one of the visitors who stayed at the Mabel Dodge Luhan house! She is also one of the most famous artists of the 20th century. Much like Mabel, she was born up North but left her legacy in the Southwest. In 1929, she made her first trip to New Mexico and immediately fell in love with the beautiful landscape and vibrant culture that influenced her paintings. She revisited New Mexico frequently for the next two decades and eventually moved there permanently in 1949. Her work demonstrated her love and admiration for the beauty of the West. Today, more than 150 pieces of her work are displayed in The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe. Her creativity and skills capture the personality of the Southwestern landscape in a unique way inspires our founder, Carolyn Pollack, and the team here at American West Jewelry!
Mary Millicent Rogers
Like Georgia O’Keeffe, Mary Millicent Rogers was also born up North but visited Mabel Dodge Luhan’s house and eventually fell in love with the Southwest too. She permanently moved to New Mexico in 1947 and lived in Taos near Mabel. Her major distinction is that even though she newly planted her roots in the West, she still held a strong influence on art, fashion and politics in the East. She used her influence and advocated for the quality of life for Native Americans and even anonymously funded the costs of the local Pueblo health clinic. She also popularized Southwestern fashion from coast to coast by appearing in fashion magazines wearing Southwestern clothing and Native jewelry. Even after her death, her vast collections of Native American jewelry, art and photographs acquired from her adventures continue to contribute to the rich history and culture of the Southwest by being part of the Millicent Rogers Museum’s exhibits. Here at American West Jewelry, we celebrate Mary Millicent’s legacy that played a role in paving the way for Southwestern Sterling Silver jewelry to have a permanent and honorable place in the world of fashion.
More About American West Jewelry by Carolyn Pollack
While we are celebrating women of the Southwest, we certainly want to uplift our founder and designer, Carolyn Pollack. Her adventure into Southwestern jewelry is inspired by the rich culture of New Mexico. We are also honored to bring you designs from her good friend Fritz Casuse, Navajo. The mission of American West Jewelry is to connect women of all generations and cultures together through a shared love for Southwestern gemstone jewelry and Mother Earth’s beauty. Do you admire a woman with Southwestern ties that you would like to see featured in next year’s Women’s Heritage Month celebration blog? Send us a message with your suggestion!
A Statement from Carolyn Pollack
“As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I find myself thinking about the women in my personal history who have shaped my life. I come from very humble beginnings, but I was blessed by the riches of love and dedication of amazingly strong and devoted women. My Grandma Dooley brought so much joy to her 6 children, dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren with her unwavering love, grace and faith. There was always room for everyone in her tiny house. My mother raised four of us on her own, yet never complained and always made time to create beautiful birthdays, holidays, and one-of-a-kind clothing through her talent, love and commitment. And there are many more aunts and mentors that I am forever grateful for. While these women may not be famous, nor mentioned in any history books, they are the leading ladies in my life’s story, and I am forever grateful.”
