Our Beloved Women: Matriarchs of the Poarch Creek

“Our Beloved Women: Matriarchs of the Poarch Creek” is the third installment of a temporary exhibit at the University of South Alabama Marx Library for the Alabama Bicentennial. The original conception for this exhibit comes from the late, Mr. Robert Thrower. Mr. Thrower was the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.  He suggested that the key women of Poarch Creek history should be spotlighted for their commitment to the Poarch Creek Community and their many personal achievements. These women were each heavily involved in the community life, traditions, culture, and politics that helped shaped the Poarch Band of Creek Indians into the thriving, sovereign nation that it is today. The USA Center for Archaeological Studies worked closely the Office of Archives and Records Management of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, as well as the Kerretv Cuko Poarch Band of Creek Indians Museum to obtain information, images, and artifacts for this exhibit. The Beloved Women of the Poarch Band Creek Indians number in the hundreds, and each is valued for their strength of spirit, compassion for others, and loyalty to their people.