Minnie Spotted-Wolf (1923–1987) was one of the first Native American women to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.

Biography

Minnie Spotted-Wolf enlisted in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve in July 1943. Spotted-Wolf, from Heart Butte, Montana, was a member of the Blackfoot tribe. Prior to joining the Marines, she had worked on her father's ranch doing such chores as cutting fence posts, driving a two-ton truck, and breaking horses. Known for her skill for breaking horses, she described Marine boot camp as: "hard but not too hard." She served on military bases in California and Hawaii. She worked as a heavy equipment operator and a driver for general officers. Press coverage of her wartime service included headlines like Minnie, Pride of the Marines, Is Bronc-Busting Indian Queen. She was discharged in 1947. After her military service, she returned to Montana, married Robert England, earned a degree in Elementary Education, and spent 29 years as a teacher. According to her daughter, "she could outride guys into her early 50s."

Tribute

In 2019, a section of US Highway 89 in Pondera County, MT was dedicated as "Minnie Spotted-Wolf Memorial Highway”.

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