Sacagawea was a native of North America who helped explore Louisiana.

She was born in 1788.

When she was young she was captured by another tribe of natives and raised with them. At 20 she was sold to a rich merchant and became one of his wives.

When the US government decided to explore Louisiana to find trade routes, it needed the help of the locals. Thus her name became a legend, since she contributed the most with her effort.

By promoting her name and her work, women were able to increase their rights and gain the right to vote.

In the USA today there are many mountains and lakes named after her and there are many statues of her. The existing statues of her outnumber those of any other woman. In 2000, coins with her face were issued.

The prevailing theory is that she died in 1812 from a fever. Others claim that she managed to return to her birthplace and passed away in 1884.

[Source: en.wikipedia.org]