Thursday, March 11, 2010

Swiss immigrant to Utah tried to 'better herself a little'

This is a good story about a Swiss immigrant who came here alone at age 14. She became a very important figure in Utah and U.S. government life and politics. - - Donna Poisl

by Kristen Rogers-Iversen, The Salt Lake Tribune

In 1897, a Swiss teenager left her family and came penniless and alone to Utah. As Elise Furer stood on the train platform in Salt Lake City at four o'clock on a dark winter morning, she watched the other immigrants go home with friends and family -- until she was alone on the platform.

At that moment, no one could have predicted that this lone girl -- who had joined the LDS church against her family's wishes -- would have a large influence on the social and political landscape. The issues she was passionate about have particular resonance for us today.
Click on the headline to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.

No comments: