Dorothy M. Johnson was a pioneering Western writer who defied conventions by featuring women as saviors and heroes dying unnoticed. Her stories often explored harmonious relationships between whites and Native Americans. Three of her works were adapted into films, including "A Man Called Horse", "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance", and "The Hanging Tree".
Gravel in Her Gut and Spit in Her Eye
The Western stories of Dorothy M. Johnson stand out for their complex female characters, poignant tragic endings, and nuanced portrayals of interactions between white settlers and Native Americans.