Mary Fields, also known as Stagecoach Mary, was a trailblazing figure of the American West, born around 1832. She became the first Black American woman to work for the United States Postal Service and one of the few female stagecoach drivers in history.
Fields was renowned for her remarkable strength, fearlessness, and no-nonsense attitude. Despite facing discrimination and adversity, she earned a reputation for her reliability and efficiency in delivering mail, often braving treacherous conditions and hostile territories.
Fields settled in Cascade, Montana, where she became a beloved and respected member of the community. She was known for her generosity, often providing food and shelter to those in need, regardless of race or background.
Her legacy as a pioneer and trailblazer endures as a testament to the resilience and determination of Black American women in the American West. In 1959, she was inducted into the Montana Historical Society's Hall of Fame, cementing her place in history as a true frontier legend.
The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.
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Stagecoach Mary