Pearl Hart, the Lady Bandit: Victim or Vixen or Both?

Separating fact from fiction is no easy task regarding flamboyant stage coach robber Pearl Hart. Many conflicting stories abound thanks, in no small part, to Pearl herself. Using historic photographs and newspaper articles Reid will follow Pearl’s modest beginnings in Canada to her notorious Arizona crime, trial, and questionable release from prison. Why does a woman who committed a fairly insignificant crime still garner so much interest that even a Broadway show was created to highlight her life? Reid will explore Pearl’s life as both victim and vixen to help shed some light on an Arizona figure surrounded by mystery.

H. Christine Reid is intrigued by Arizona’s diverse and rich western heritage as a writer and researcher at the Pinal County Historical Society. She has been a Community Scholar for the ASU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute since 2007. She continues a deep interest in Arizona history while serving on many of the town of Florence’s heritage and historic preservation projects. She leads cemetery and historic district walking tours in Florence. Committed to sharing history in a lively manner, she presents the sometimes hidden or forgotten aspects of Arizona’s characters and history.