Legends Retold: Goddard & Ingles
Come hear these amazing ladies’ stories and how they relate to the founding of America.
Mary Katharine Goddard was a pioneering printer, publisher, and postmaster whose courage and determination helped shape the voice of the American Revolution. Best known for printing the first official copy of the Declaration of Independence to include the names of the signers in 1777, Goddard played a vital role in spreading revolutionary ideas across the colonies. At a time when women were rarely recognized in public leadership, she managed successful publishing operations, kept citizens informed during wartime, and became one of the earliest female postmasters in America. Her legacy represents freedom of the press, patriotism, and the powerful influence of women in the founding of the United States.
Mary Draper Ingles became an enduring symbol of resilience and survival on the American frontier. Captured during a 1755 raid in the French and Indian War, Ingles escaped captivity and traveled hundreds of miles through wilderness to return home to Virginia. Her extraordinary journey demonstrated remarkable endurance, courage, and determination in the face of extreme hardship. As one of America’s most legendary frontier women, her story reflects the challenges faced by early settlers and the pioneering spirit that helped shape the nation’s westward expansion and frontier identity.