Support the show on Patreon OR Buy me a coffee Show Notes: To tide you over while Im researching and writing longer episodes I've created a new segment called Black History blitz. Short, bite sized and fun, like any good snack its best when shared with friends, so tell your friends about it. Today's Black history Blitz is about the hard-drinking, shotgun carrying wild west legend known as Stagecoach Mary. The first African American Woman to Join the US mail. Mary Fields, later to be known as Stage Coach Mary was born in Hickman County Tennessee at around 1832 Liberated from enslavement at the end of the American Civil war, Fields headed North working on Riverboats till she eventually found permanent work in an Ohio convent. Her gruff style and constant cursing raised eyebrows in the quiet convent, and though she faithfully served the nuns, news of her habitual drinking, smoking, shooting guns and wearing men’s clothing. Caused upheaval. Things came to a head when Fields and the convent’s male janitor drew guns on each other during a heated argument, it was the final straw and she was fired. Fields love of hard drinking and gunfights eventually paid off when in 1895 she won a contract from the postal service to become a Star route carrier making her the first African American woman to do so Cathy Williams, we salute you! 

The Black History Buff Podcast is a fully independent project. 

We aren't backed by a publishing house, advertising partners or a major enterprise. For our existence, we depend on our loyal listeners – we depend on you.

So, if you enjoy our content and want to support the creation of more, join our history village and support our mission to share hidden stories from Black Culture, join my free Patreon:

Membership benefits include:

• Early access to new episodes
• Bonus episodes and content
• Be part of the creation of new episodes 
• Guest memberships
• Get featured In Episode End credits 
• Ad Free Episodes

https://www.patreon.com/Blackhistorybuff

Join my newsletter to be kept up to date with the latest posts 

https://steadyhq.com/en/blackhistory

Find me on Social Media

https://linktr.ee/BlackHistoryBuff

Buy me a Coffee

https://ko-fi.com/theblackhistorybuffpodcast

Thank you for listening, sharing, and joining us on our mission.

Stay Blessed,

King Kurus, 

The Black History Buff

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/black-history-buff-uncovering-untold-stories/exclusive-content

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy