Who washed the clothes?

Museum’s Brown Bag Lunch to focus on Army laundresses

Posted 5/27/18

Museum to hold Brown Bag Lunch on June 7

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Who washed the clothes?

Museum’s Brown Bag Lunch to focus on Army laundresses

Posted

EVANSTON — Uinta County Museum’s next Brown Bag Lunch, on June 7, will feature a western military history subject that probably isn’t thought of much: Who washed the clothes?

In a book called “Soap Suds Row, The Bold Lives of Army Laundresses 1802-1876,” the author, Jennifer Lawrence, describes interesting and intricate, funny and sad, lives of these brave, adventurous and unorthodox women.

Lawrence was born and raised near Boulder, Colorado. She moved to Wyoming as a young adult and has called it home ever since. She has a degree in agricultural communications from the University of Wyoming.

After a mid-life career change, she also obtained a bachelor’s degree in education, also from UW, and a master’s degree from Walden University. She enjoys sharing her love of nature and science with students of all ages, as well as her passion for army laundresses and women in the west.

“Soaps Suds Row” was named Best of the West by True West Magazine and has won a Wyoming Historical Society award. The book also received a Willa award from Women Writing the West for best non-fiction book.

Lawrence’s father instilled in her an interest in the American West. She also enjoys horses and holds a special place in her heart for Shetland ponies. She is a strong supporter of young people, not only in the classroom but also in 4-H and rodeo.

The author will stay to sign books after her presentation, which will be at noon on Thursday, June 7, at the Beeman-Cashin Building at Evanston’s Depot Square.

Those wishing to eat should bring their own lunch. The museum will provide water and soda.