The Making of "Mammy Pleasant": A Black Entrepreneur in Nineteenth-Century San Francisco

Women, Gender, and Sexuality in American History

by Lynn M. Hudson

Mary Ellen Pleasant arrived in Gold Rush-era San Francisco a free black woman with abolitionist convictions and a predilection for entrepreneurial success. Behind the convenient and trusted disguise of "Mammy," she transformed domestic labor into enterprise, amassed remarkable real estate, wealth, and power, and gained notoriety for her work in fighting Jim Crow. Pleasant's legacy is steeped in scandals and lore. Was she a voodoo queen who traded in sexual secrets? a madam? a murderer? In The Making of "Mammy Pleasant": A Black Entrepreneur in Nineteenth Century San Francisco, Lynn M. Hudson examines the folklore of Pleasant's real and imagined powers. Emphasizing the significance of her life in the context of how it has been interpreted or ignored in American history, Hudson integrates fact and speculation culled from periodicals, court cases, diaries, letters, Pleasant's interviews with the San Francisco press, and various biographical and fictional accounts.

Addressing the lack of a historical record of black women's lives, the author argues that the silences and mysteries of Pleasant's past, whether never recorded or intentionally omitted, reveal as much about her life as what has been documented. Through Pleasant's life, Hudson also interrogates the constructions of race, gender, and sexuality during the formative years of California's economy and challenges popular mythology about the liberatory sexual culture of the American West.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 18, 2002

Reviews

[Louise Della Maggiora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because I read sister NOOn-I wanted t learn more about Mammy Pleasant--good historical reference and record of her ---not much written in detail which implicates how significantly insignificant she was considered in Jim Crow SF. BTW SF and the west coast were the most progressive even then.

Being a 4th generation SF person, I had always known the folklore of Mammy Pleasant, but enjoyed reading her actual accounting---and yes she was an influential, smart, BLACK strong WOMAN who was very significant in shaping SF and national history.

[Denise Kruse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A far more worthy and serious look at the life of an amazing woman, Mary Ellen Pleasant than Helen Holdredge’s dated book, Mammy Pleasant (1972) which is salacious, racist and draws many conclusions that are questionable. While readable, this biography is scholarly and Mary Ellen Pleasant deserves that. I love that she requested her tombstone read “She was a friend to John Brown” and that 60 years after her death, her request was honored.

[Sandra Oldfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on a misunderstood woman. I would have been OK had it had a bit more speculation but like that the author was clear about what was known for sure and what was not about this amazing woman.

[Sabrina Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a historical mystery writer with a series set in San Francisco, I've come across numerous references of Mary Ellen Pleasant. The references ranged from extraordinary claims of being a Voodoo priestess to a courageous abolitionist, and everything in between. Her lineage, birthplace, and even appearance remain subjects of debate. I was thrilled to find that this book was meticulously researched and addressed the wide-range of stories and discrepancy of facts.

It addresses racism in the West, stereotypes, all the different stories surrounding Pleasant, and how silences can speak volumes when history has tried to erase or mask the voices of black women. And yet Pleasant amassed a fortune despite being a black female living in the 19th century. She refused to be constricted by gender or race, overcoming barrier after barrier as an entrepreneur and a 'capitalist by profession'

I liked this closing comment, and I think it summed her up nicely: Pleasant cannot be reduced to a single identity or legend.

A fascinating read for researchers interested in San Francisco history and racism.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought this was terrific. A combination of setting history right and setting a major figure in SF history in context. Meticulously researched and very readable.