“The Most Dangerous Woman in the Pacific Northwest?” Original Courthouse Museum to Host Free Marie Equi Presentation
Presenter and Author Michael Helquist
The Dalles, Ore., June 9, 2026 — The Original Wasco County Courthouse Museum, in partnership with the Oregon Historical Society and with support from the Wasco Cultural Trust Coalition, will present a free public lecture on the life and legacy of Dr. Marie Equi, one of Oregon's most fascinating and controversial historical figures.
Award-winning author and biographer Michael Helquist will present “It Started Here in The Dalles: The Passionate, Notorious Story of Dr. Marie Equi” at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at the Granada Theater, 221 E. Second St. The event is free and open to the public.
Equi's story has deep roots in The Dalles. According to event organizers, the woman who would later become a nationally known physician, labor activist, suffragist and social reformer first arrived in The Dalles by train in 1892. Her outspoken advocacy and political activism eventually led federal authorities to label her "the most dangerous woman in the Pacific Northwest" during the early 20th century.
Helquist, whose acclaimed biography helped bring renewed attention to Equi's life and accomplishments, will share stories from her remarkable journey while exploring how the issues she confronted more than a century ago continue to resonate in modern America.
The presentation is designed for history enthusiasts, local residents and anyone interested in learning more about a figure whose influence extended far beyond the Columbia Gorge. Organizers say the evening will blend local history with discussion of broader social and political conflicts that remain relevant today.
The program is supported by a grant from the Wasco Cultural Trust Coalition with funding from the Oregon Cultural Trust. The Original Wasco County Courthouse Museum is partnering with the Oregon Historical Society to bring the presentation to The Dalles.
Doors open prior to the 7 p.m. presentation. Admission is free, and no registration is required.
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