Lost Horizons Meets The Bird Woman

by Pat Antonopoulos

History has never been my forte, though some of my children and grandchildren have an amazing sense of the importance of historical perspective and events. At times, it seems as if Bob has memorized parts of the journals of Lewis and Clark.

Last evening, we watched the first part of a documentary focused on Lewis and Clark as they followed Thomas Jefferson's commands to open and chart new territories. Napoleon's willingness to sell the French holdings greatly increased the unmapped area.

Undaunted Courage is the title of Stephen Ambrose's book on the journey. Perfect title.

Charbonneau, a French trader, was hired because his young wife, Sacajawea had knowledge, talents and courage to aid and inspire. The documentary is very clear, detailing the importance of Sacajawea's contributions to the success of the mission.

Earlier in the week, we found an old tape called Lost Horizons. The movie was made in 1937 and remarkable for scope, scenery, quality and budget. A plane crashed and a group of English people found themselves in a Himalayan village where ego and greed had given way to a gentle life free from want of any kind. Generosity and kindness were the order of every day.

Incredulous, 'George' was questioning the village leader. George asked, "And what about women?" The leader is stunned that the question would come up. "If a man sees a women he wants, she is his."
George follows with, "But what if she belongs to another man?"
"It would be impolite of the other man to refuse."
The woman would be given.

Now, I will grant that my mind does take leaps that raise eyebrows and can earn dismissive head shakes. I will grant that I don't always follow the logical and reasonable when I sort my thoughts.

However, in the early 1800's, a 16 year old pregnant Shoshone woman travels with the frontiersmen of Lewis and Clark. She shares the hardships in every detail, matching step for step along the journey. At one point, Sacajawea saves precious cargo as Charbonneau panics and flounders his boat. Lewis and Clark write that she has the courage of any man among them.

A 1937 movie continues the societal belief that women are possessions, to be handed off if a man likes what he sees.

How very slowly we have moved along the journey of equality.