Jeannine Raymond Reading & Signing

Late 1800s California’s Central San Joaquin Valley: a desolate, unshaped land lies before the pioneers who worked so hard to get here. Ernestine Miller Winchell, a prolific writer of the times whose significant work has been rescued from obscurity, shares the diverse stories of women who contributed to shaping the region into what it is today.
Meet a melting pot of interesting women battling the odds to survive in a wild, unfamiliar land. The compelling stories include those of local Indigenous women, the first Black woman in Millerton, and the courageous women of Mariposa who stood firm against the derogatory treatment by the local newspaper editor. Read the long-lost document by Lizzie McGee, providing a firsthand account of life among the Sierra sawmills.
About the Author
Jeannine Raymond, Ph.D., is a celebrated Central California author, renowned for her illuminating works on Fresno's history. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she now resides in Fresno, where her first award-winning book, Fresno’s Wilson Island and Rosanna Cooper Wilson, the Woman Behind It, was inspired by her curiosity in local history. Her expertise in Fresno's history, showcased in popular presentations like “Fresno History Hiding in Plain Sight,” has gained over 13k views on YouTube. Retired from academia, Raymond, also a Master Gardener, enjoys family, friends, and traveling the world.