The Evening News. November 18, 1916

41. First Californian Feminist

Since the recent election it has been commonly stated both here and in the East that without the women's vote in California the President would have been defeated. California women made a President. According to the oldest tradition of Californian women, this is as it should be. The Amazons were the first feminists in the state. Queen Califia was the Queen of Amazons.

One first hears of Queen Califia in a romance called "The Deeds of Esplandian, the son of Amadis of Guad," published in Spain in 1510. It was the most popular romance of the day. Undoubtedly it was enjoyed by Cortez, the great explorer.

In this romance Queen Califia ruled the Island of California, which was situated on the right hand of the Indies, "very close to the Terrestial Paradise." Califia was very black, "very large in person, the most beautiful woman on the island, of blooming years, in her thoughts and desire achieving great things, strong of limb, and of great courage, more than any of those who have filled the throne before her."

The Island of California was supposed to be peopled by black women without any men. These followers of Califia had strong, "hardened bodies, ardent courage and great force." What better description could be found of a Californian woman of today, the athletes, president-makers?

It was said that Queen Califia and her followers allowed no man to land on the island. In order to keep away men the Amazons had animals and griffins devour every male as he arrived.

The Island of Califia was supposed to be an enchanted spot. On the beach one picked up jewels and pebbles of gold. The weapons and arms of the Amazons were all gold, and so was the harness of wild beasts ridden and tamed by the Amazons.

Califia made an alliance with the pagans, and at the, head of armed women and five hundred fire-breathing griffins she won many victories. Finally love conquered even this new woman. She married Prince Amadis and became a Christian. Together they performed many deeds of valor and gained kingdoms.

At the time Cortez came to Mexico the story of Califia was on all lips in Spain. Every one knows how when Cortez arrived on this continent, by burning his ships, with seven hundred men he drove himself to the conquest of Mexico. He located mines and took even Montezuma prisoner. The Mexicans thought Cortez and his men were Gods, and they did seem to have more than men's allotted strength.

Cortez was never satisfied. He said that he was afflicted with the Spaniards' disease, the love of gold. He determined to find the island of Queen Califia. He believed it to be near Mexico, which of course he thought not far from Asia. After Cortez became ruler of Mexico, at his own expense he fitted out several ships to hunt for California. Most of them were lost, but loss and time had no terror for Cortez. Finally his men saw the white, chalky cliffs of Lower California. To them he gave the name California. No one knows whether the word is Greek, Latin, Spanish or Indian. It is supposed to mean "hot oven" or "fiery furnace" from the Spanish.

Califia was merely a dream of ardent Spanish fancy, but perhaps only dreamers see truth. The real California was rich in gold beyond even Cortez' dreams. It is "very close to Terrestial Paradise." And the women of California are of "ardent courage, and of great force."

Transcribed by Kitty LaFavor, for the Santa Clara Co. CAGenWeb Project. 2008