Jackson's life changed after attending a lecture by Chief Standing Bear in 1879, which awakened her deep concern for Native Americans. In 1881 she published "A Century of Dishonor," a powerful indictment of the U.S. government's broken treaties and mistreatment of Indigenous peoples, copies of which she sent to every member of Congress. Later commissioned to report on the Mission Indians of California, she drew on that experience for her masterpiece, "Ramona" (1884), a romantic novel depicting the injustices suffered by Native Californians. Intended as an "Uncle Tom's Cabin" for Native American rights, "Ramona" became one of the most popular American novels of the nineteenth century. Jackson died on August 12, 1885, in San Francisco.
Helen Hunt Jackson
Helen Hunt Jackson (1830–1885) was an American poet, novelist, and activist, born in Amherst, Massachusetts. A childhood friend of Emily Dickinson, she began publishing poetry and essays under the pen name "H.H." after the death of her first husband, Captain Edward B. Hunt. Her early works include the poetry collection "Verses" (1870) and travel writings such as "Bits of Travel" (1872). She also wrote popular novels, including "Mercy Philbrick's Choice" (1876) and "Hetty's Strange History" (1877).