Wives into the Wilderness: The Unpaid Force That Shaped National Parks

America’s National Parks Podcast

RV Miles Network

Science, Nature, Places & Travel, Society & Culture:places & Travel, Society & Culture, History

4.9 • 870 Ratings

🗓️ 12 March 2024

⏱️ 19 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, we delve into the untold stories of the women who lived in the shadows of America's majestic landscapes, their lives intertwined with the national parks we cherish today. The wives of National Park Rangers played a pivotal role in the early days of the National Park Service, yet their contributions have largely gone unrecognized. As we explore the isolation, challenges, and the remarkable resilience of these women, we uncover how they not only supported their families in the most remote wildernesses but also served as de facto rangers, contributing significantly to the operations and development of the parks. From leading tours to pioneering educational programs, their legacy is an integral part of the national park experience. Hosted by Jason Epperson With Narration by Abigail Trabue Visit LLBean.com to find great gear for exploring the national parks. Use promo code PARKS20OFF to get $20 off your next purchase of $200 or more at solostove.com.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Since 1912, L.L.Bine has been helping people get outside together, with year tips and advice
0:09.6	for exploring all the possibilities of the outdoors all year long.
0:14.0	Here's a quick tip for your next ski snowboard, snowshoe, or sledding trip.
0:18.8	Change into your socks and base layers when you get to the mountain or trailhead not before. A toasty car ride
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0:31.4	cold later. Start dry and warm so you'll stay dry and
0:36.1	warm. For more tips easy howtus and inspiring stories visit L.L. Bean
0:41.8	dot com slash Explorer.
0:44.0	Throughout human existence, it certainly hasn't been uncommon for women to play the role of
0:57.8	unofficial business partners to their husbands without the accolades, the respect, or the pay.
1:03.0	However, those married to National Park Rangers
1:07.0	faced some unique challenges.
1:09.0	Their lives were steep in isolation.
1:11.0	Basic amenities were a luxury, and their homes, often primitive
1:15.7	at best, were nestled in the heart of America's most remote wildernesses.
1:20.9	They not only kept their own household, they served as de facto rangers themselves,
1:26.2	performing so many necessary functions that allowed national parks to operate.
1:31.2	Yet, despite their significant contributions, they remained unpaid.
1:37.0	Their efforts unrecognized by the iconic green and gray uniform of the National Park Service.
1:43.4	I'm Jason Epperson and this is the America's National Parks
1:48.6	podcast. In the early days of National Parks, the federal government saw a preference for hiring
2:01.0	unmarried men as park rangers, especially in remote locations like Yellowstone,
	...

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