Mary Jemison was born in 1743 as her parents emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania. When she was fifteen years old, a group of raiding Shawnee Indians and French soldiers captured her and her family. She was the only one to survive. For seventy-five years, she lived among the Seneca Indians who adopted her. She outlived two husbands and bore eight children. She witnessed two wars and a revolution. Even though she could have returned to the white world, she chose to remain with the Senecas and became a loyal and respected member of her tribe.

Laurie Harden was educated at Kansas City Art Institute, where she pursued a painting major. She also graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in illustration. She then returned to home state of New Jersey, where she got married and raised two sons. She freelanced in New York City and taught art classes. Harden has also established herself as a Fine Artist and has been represented by several galleries.