A mother, a leader, a navigator, an interpreter, and a woman. Sacagawea did it all. She is one of the most important members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, providing not only guidance, but hope for the journey. Sacagawea has become one of the most well-regarded women in American history for her strength and wisdom. She led two explores across threatening territories all while being a mother to her new born child. Without her help, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark might not have been successful on their expedition. Due to her knowledge and hard work, the expedition was a success. A woman like this is incredibly important to history. Although Sacagawea is well known for the expedition, her life before and after is quite mysterious, with her date of birth being unknown and her cause of death being an unsolved mystery. Sacagawea is a Shoshone Indian who was born to the chief of the tribe, Lemhi. The tribe was located in the Rocky Mountains which is now present-day Idaho. In Encyclopedia of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, it is stated that the young girl was “captured by a raiding party of Hidatsa …show more content…
Sacagawea became a mother to a baby boy after an atrocious labor. With the help of Lewis, she gave birth on February 11, 1805 to Jean Baptiste Mandan, also known as Pomp (Woodger and Toropov, 78). The birth did not stop the newly mom from accompanying the men on the rest of their journey. Pomp was carried on the back of his mother’s during the expedition. Sacagawea was truly proving her worth to the men. From being accepted to accompany the explores on the journey, to being key for trade for them, to doing it all with a new born child on her back. Sacagawea was truly a remarkable woman at such a young age, between 16 and 17 years old, risking her life to help these men to travel across country, and yet receive nothing in