The Sunday Olympian’s Looking Back theme for 2024 was Many Voices, celebrating our diverse and rich history. Harriet Speckart, shown here, was a niece of Olympia Brewing Company founder Leopold Schmidt. In 1905 she met Doctor Marie Equi, beginning a long relationship, including a jointly adopted daughter. Harriet’s mother and uncle then unsuccessfully attempted to deny Harriet access to a large inheritance, based on the “unnatural” relationship with Dr. Equi. Harriet and Marie are buried together in Portland, Oregon.
Photograph (of Harriet as a young girl) courtesy Oregon Historical Society
Text © Deborah Ross and The Olympian 2024