Kittie Wilkins was an extraordinary woman whose life defied the conventions of her time. Born in the American West, she received a consistent education despite her family’s frequent relocations to various boomtowns, where her father, J.R. Wilkins, established businesses aimed at serving mining communities. After devastating fires destroyed their ventures in Boise, Idaho and Tuscarora, Nevada, the Wilkins family settled in the Bruneau Valley along the Snake River. There, they established a ranch where they raised cattle and horses, including capturing and domesticating wild horses from the nearby Jarbidge range.

Following her graduation, Kittie embarked on an extensive tour of the United States, broadening her perspective and refining her ambitions. Upon her return, her father entrusted her with full authority over the ranch’s horse breeding, training, and sales operations. She became the most prominent horse breeder and stock saleswoman in the West, amassing a fortune and earning widespread recognition.

This presentation, by Richard H. Dorman, explores the compelling story of Kittie Wilkins—a trailblazing entrepreneur whose legacy continues to inspire.