Celebrating the Woman Named Idaho

Idaho Purce was part of a group of citizens from five states that fought against the Aryan Nations Compound in North Idaho. PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLIE BRASETH

BY CHERIE BUCKNER-WEBB

As a Black youngster, the name Idaho Perce mesmerized me—a woman named in honor of her older sister, Ida, who died at the family’s former home in Arimo, Idaho 17 years before her birth. Idaho Thompson Purce was born in Pocatello, the daughter of professional rodeo circuit champion, homesteader, and railroad employee Tracy Thompson and his wife, Birdie.

March is Women’s History Month and the perfect time to honor an Idaho treasure and, indeed, a “phenomenal woman.” I have been inspired by this powerful, African American woman—born and raised in IDAHO—for decades.

The first time I met her, I was simply in awe. That powerful woman I’d heard so much about was warm, engaging, and open; a lovely woman who wields great power and exudes great humanity.

Mrs. Purce (in my cultural context, we DO NOT refer to our elders by their first name—it is about respect) has an approach personified in the family credo, explained Kelly Purce Braseth, Mrs. Purce’s daughter. “Ride out to meet what’s coming,” a philosophy that was visible as Mrs. Purce and her husband intricately engaged in the fight to eradicate the Aryan Nations Compound in North Idaho. From 1986 until 1998, Mrs. Purce was part of a group of citizens from five states formed to participate in the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment. Mrs. Purce was tireless, and very public, in the fight against hate across the region, which was an inspiration to me.

Ultimately, the dissolution of the compound occurred following a successful lawsuit. The Kootenai County Task Force was awarded $6.3 million from the Aryan Nation for negligence in the supervision of guards following shots they fired after mistaking a backfire from the car as a gunshot. The judgment was in favor of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Richard Butler was forced to declare bankruptcy and sell the compound property.

Mrs. Purce is a woman of legendary accomplishments. She is a tireless, committed individual who carries forth the legacy of her mother. Birdie was a teacher who received her college education at an historically black college and charged her children to live up to their responsibility to help others who had experienced a history of denial reach their potential. Smart, strategic, well read, and personable—Idaho Purce is a woman to be reckoned with. Among other things, she is:

A wife and mother of five highly accomplished children, foster parent, tireless human rights advocate, supervisor at the Department of Employment in Pocatello, and community leader.

Member of the NAACP, AIDS Foundation, Idaho Black History Museum, Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment, Kootenai County Human Rights Task Force, and Idaho Human Rights Commission.

Idaho Purce pictured on her way to President Obama’s second inauguration. “She had a great time,” said daughter Kellie Braseth.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLIE BRASETH

A published author, Mrs. Perce wrote “The Triangle—A Slice of America” with Mary Sanders Watkins and Kevin R. Miles, a book that candidly identifies and details the culture and composition of a specific area of Pocatello from an earlier era (implicitly designated for occupancy by multi-ethnic communities, and immigrants—no redlining in Idaho, per se— but segregation was alive and visible).

When I first ran for the legislature, she encouraged me, gave me sage counsel, and then celebrated “our” success, reminding me of the importance to represent not only my constituents, but also our (the African American) community. I treasure every interaction.

Today, at age 96, Mrs. Purce continues to epitomize a life of purpose. Without hesitation, she confidently speaks truth to power. She is zealot for justice, an advocate for equity, a voice for civility, the epitome of integrity, and a champion for the people. To borrow from Psalm 1:3, today, she stands, “like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth its fruit in its season; whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever she does shall prosper.”

How, exactly? Following the end of the aforementioned court case, when the sale of the Aryan Nations North Idaho compound was complete and the former occupants vanquished, Mrs. Purce, Tony Stewart, Marilyn Schuler, and Bill Wassmuth walked the compound to survey a final time. Idaho Purce looked over the land. “I must wash the dirt from my shoes so as not to take the dirt from this place with me,” she said.