Martha Black

Martha was an independent 32-year old when she headed for the Klondike in 1898. She endured the grueling Chilkoot Trail, traveled by boat down the Yukon River, and worked placer gold claims while living in a crude log cabin. She went on to become a successful businesswoman, owning a mining camp and managing a sawmill. At the age of 70, she was elected to the Canadian Parliament. Journalist and friend Flo Whyard has edited Martha Black’s fascinating life story. Inspired by Black’s achievements, Whyard was elected to the Yukon Territory’s legislature at the age of 58, and later became mayor of Whitehorse.