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

Euphemia (Phemie) Washington was a tall, black woman from Canada. Her mother was captured and sold into slavery. Phemie, whose father was the plantation owner, slaved on the plantation until she escaped on foot to Canada. As a "white" bride in the government's Brides for Indians Program, Phemie saw an opportunity for freedom. Her Cheyenne husband was also black, but he was raised as Cheyenne. Phemie's Cheyenne name was "Black White Woman."