EuGene V Byrd III

"Stagecoach" Mary Fields, the pioneering African-American female postal worker, gained recognition for fearlessly delivering mail across treacherous territories in the Wild West. Born into slavery during the 1830s in the southern United States, Fields managed to secure employment with the aid of Mother Amadeus, a nun, after the conclusion of the Civil War. Initially, she worked in an Ohio convent before eventually relocating to St. Peter's Convent in Montana. Despite her proximity to nuns, Fields exhibited behavior far removed from that of a conventional nun. Known for her frequent visits to saloons, her affinity for smoking cigars, engaging in altercations, and displaying proficiency with firearms, Fields defied traditional expectations. Following a dispute with a janitor at St. Peter's, Mother Amadeus arranged for her to join the U.S. Postal Service in 1895. Fields, the first Black woman and the second woman overall to assume a mail route in the United States, demonstrated unwavering resilience and bravery. In her sixties, she faithfully safeguarded her mail while armed with a rifle and a revolver, undeterred by the perils she encountered. Each week, Fields traversed approximately 300 miles to fulfill her mail delivery duties. In snowy conditions, she would equip herself with snowshoes, carrying the mail in a sack across her shoulders to ensure its successful delivery. Her exceptional dedication to her profession and strong character made her a revered figure in Cascade, Montana. Fields was the only non-sex worker woman permitted to drink at the local bar, received complimentary meals at the Cascade Hotel, and the community rallied together to construct a new home for her after hers was destroyed by fire. Following eight years of service as a mail carrier, Fields transitioned to the laundry business. When she passed away in 1914, the Cascade community held one of the largest funerals ever witnessed in the town to pay tribute to her remarkable life.