Who is Euphemia (Phemie) from One Thousand White Women and what is their importance?

Euphemia Washington (Phemie) was a tall, black woman from Canada, whose mother was captured and sold into slavery. Phemie, a child of the plantation owner and her mother, served the white man for the rest of her childhood until she was able to escape on foot to Canada. As a "white" bride in the government's Brides for Indians Program, Phemie saw an opportunity for true freedom. She inspired and soothed others by singing old slavery songs. Phemie's Cheyenne husband was also black, but he was raised as Cheyenne. Phemie never chose to have a child and preferred her occupation as a brave Cheyenne hunter and warrior. Her Cheyenne name was "Black White Woman."