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Merit Badge Chit Chat:  Her ~ Story ~ Beginner Badge  |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
7617 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
7617 Posts |
 Posted - May 25 2026 : 2:10:54 PM
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I hope and pray I can do this Amazing Woman Justice as I tell Her Story mistakes and all:-)
Maryjane, is who I chose for Her Story. She is one of the most Powerful/Influential Woman I know. She must be to have over 8700 Women from all walks of life following her. She has so many women who look up to her, admire her and are inspired by her. To include myself.
Maryjane comes from humble beginnings and left home when she was 19 to forge her own path and journey. She had many first along the way as she has always been a Pioneer.
I learned while researching MaryJanes life that she was the first Woman in Ogden, UT to attend Skills Center North Trade School and received her Certificate of Proficiency in Carpentry. Coming from a military background her next challenge was so amazing to me as I believe she was helping to build military housing for families. She was hired to build houses at the Hills Air Force Base and she was the only Woman on the Crew!
After that job was complete she spent summers in Northern Idaho watching for Wildfires from a mountain top look out, she worked in the Uinta Mountains as one of the first woman wilderness Ranger in the United States. There were only 3!
In 1976 MaryJane became the first female station guard at the Moose Creek Ranger Station. It was the most remote Forest Service District in the Continental U.S., it was in the Heart of Idaho’s Selway-BitterRoot Wilderness Area. Among other things she built fences in the Tetons of Wyoming, herded cows on the Snake River below Hells Canyon, and raised an organic market garden in White Bird Idaho. And I am sure so many more other first that we may not know.
We know how/where she started her business in Moscow, Her Magazine, Foodline, MaryJane’sFarm Forum, and her Bed & Breakfast. Oh, did I tell you she owns her own flour mill. Whew, Amazing.
Farmgirls I could really go on and on but I guess I only have so much room.
I think if I ever met MaryJane I could sit with her for hours and listen to her life story. Like an old friend, I do not think we would run out of things to say to one another honestly!
She says the opportunity she’s had to provide a gathering place for FarmSisters is amazing and she will forever be grateful.
I chose to write about her, what she has and continues to do in her life not only as a Woman but a Beautiful, kind, Fair and Compassionate person. I really did not want to write about personal stuff. I wanted to write about the Strong Woman she is and moves further with her life without her partner.
My next question I ask her was, is there something about her that we her Farmgirls do not know. She could not think of one thing so she did say, someone once wrote about me: “In Farmgirls fashion, her style is relaxed, conversational and approachable. She tells people who she is. To her readers, she presents herself as well meaning and imperfect, deeply capable, frankly ambitious, and subject to revision.”
I thank her for sharing with me but I had one more question I wanted to ask her.
My question was if she would ever Write a Book about Her Life? If not why?
And FarmSisters her is our MaryJanes answer and I quote,
“Well now, here is something I haven’t shared. Yes, I have been working on a book for the past two years, but my free time to do so is so limited. My working title is “Sunday Best Smidgens: two parts memoir /one part cookbook.”
So there it is as best as I could write it, and I was happy she had something (secret) she could share with me that I could share with all of Our FarmSisters.
Thank you MaryJane for the past 10 plus years you have given me of so many friends to include yourself, I will always be grateful. And through MaryJane we are all Family.
Big Hugs,
Debbie
#1582
Blessed in Oregon
With Colorado on My Mind
Farmgirl of the Month September 2012, February 2018, September 2022, August 2025
“My altars are My Mountains
and the Ocean.” Lord Byron”
When I am Old I Shall Wear Purple, I am Old now!!
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Edited by - Blessed in Colorado on May 25 2026 9:05:36 PM |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
8374 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
8374 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2026 : 2:39:37 PM
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Great choice Debbie! Auntie MJ has always been an inspiration to all! I do remember a story my dad told me when I was much younger, so please forgive me Auntie MJ if my facts are not completely accurate, but it always stuck out to me about her drive for women equality. My dad told me that during her high school years girls didn't play boys sports, so she fought really hard to get on the football team to prove that women could play just as well as boys! Each step proves that women are just as amazing!
Krista
Farmgirl Sister #528
Farmgirl Of The Year 2025 |
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Blessed in Colorado
True Blue Farmgirl
7617 Posts
Debbie L.
Oregon
USA
7617 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2026 : 5:13:48 PM
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Thank you Krista great story and you are right. She is all about equality for Women our Forum proves that.
Big Hugs,
Debbie
#1582
Blessed in Oregon
With Colorado on My Mind
Farmgirl of the Month September 2012, February 2018, September 2022, August 2025
“My altars are My Mountains
and the Ocean.” Lord Byron”
When I am Old I Shall Wear Purple, I am Old now!!
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Jokamartell
True Blue Farmgirl
2063 Posts
Karen
Kennewick
WA
USA
2063 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2026 : 8:45:41 PM
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Love it! :)
Karen :)
To quote one of my past preschoolers “Not one of those Karens, but a good Karen”! Haha |
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Bellepic
Farmgirl in Training
20 Posts
Christine
Santa Ana
CA
USA
20 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2026 : 07:56:32 AM
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Amazing choice, Debbie. Thank you for putting this all together in one place to inspire and tide us over until she can fully bake her memoir.
Farmgirl#8680
www.steamstead.blogspot.com |
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Wanda Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
1770 Posts
Wanda
Murrells Inlet
SC
USA
1770 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2026 : 11:42:06 AM
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Very good choice Debbie, she inspires us all!
A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel.
Farm Girl #3677
Farmgirl of the Month: Aug/2022
Feb/2026
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Merit Badge Chit Chat: Her ~ Story ~ Beginner Badge |
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Her ~ Story ~ Beginner Badge
