Sacagawea departed Fort Mandan with Lewis and Clark, making her the only woman in the Corps of Discovery.
On April 7, 1805, Sacagawea left Fort Mandan with the Corps of Discovery, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, as they embarked on their westward expedition to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory and find a water route to the Pacific Ocean. Sacagawea's involvement was groundbreaking; she was the expedition's only female member and played a crucial role as an interpreter and guide. Her presence was strategically significant, helping defuse potential tensions with Native American tribes they encountered. Sacagawea's journey as the only woman on this expedition represents a powerful narrative of Indigenous involvement in American exploration, establishing her as a key figure in pioneering women's roles in history.