Pike Celebration Continues with Symposium on Women’s Perspectives and Involvement

Pueblo- A two-part symposium, “Pike’s World: Remembering the Women,” will bring a woman’s perspective to the Pike bicentennial commemoration while providing resources for area teachers. Students, teachers, and community members are invited to hear the perspectives of Spanish-descended, native, and Anglo women from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28 at the El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union Ave. The event is made possible by the Southeast Colorado American History Project administered by Pueblo District 70; Colorado State University – Pueblo’s Women’s Studies Program, History Department, and Provost’s Office; and El Pueblo History Museum of the Colorado Historical Society.

Beginning at 4 p.m., Deborah Espinosa, Director of the El Pueblo History Museum, will provide introductory remarks before the presentation “Who Was Clarissa Pike and What Can She Tell Us?” by Kate Vanderboom, a docent at the Pioneers Museum, Colorado Springs. VanderBoom retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. She brings the story of Lieutenant Zebulon Pike’s exploration of the farthest reaches of the Louisiana Territory, including Colorado.

At approximately 5:50 p.m., Sandra Mathews, associate professor of history, Nebraska Wesleyan University, will present "We Had a Fandango: Pike Encounters Women in the
Borderlands." At about 7:15 p.m., C. J. Brafford, Director, Ute Indian Museum, Montrose, Colorado Historical Society, will discuss “Pathways of Native American Women.”

Because of limited seating, reservations are required. For more information or to reserve a place, contact El Pueblo Museum, 583-0453, or Carol Loats, CSU-Pueblo associate professor of history and women’s studies, 549-2348, by September 25.


Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.