Asthon Sosi (Adz-THON So-SEE or asdzáásts`ósí) is the Navajo term for Slim Woman, a name given to Louisa Wade Wetherill, wife of trader John Wetherill, in honor of the very significant work she did on behalf of the Dine’, also known as the Navajo Nation. The chapter name was chosen by Organizing Regent Betty Phillips in 2002 to honor the work of Louisa Wade Wetherill.

In 1900, John and Louisa Wetherill opened their first trading post within the Navajo Nation lands. During one of John’s absences, when Louisa’s brother became ill with pneumonia, she was unable to communicate her need for help. After this experience, Louisa vowed to learn the Navajo language in order to be able to communicate directly with the local people.

The Navajos were astonished by Louisa’s skill in learning to speak their language and believed this was only possible if she was of Navajo heritage. They came to believe that Louisa was a descendant of a Navajo woman who had been kidnapped by the Utes many years before, and they considered Louisa and her children to be their relatives. She was given the name Asthon Sosi – or Slim Woman. 

The Navajos taught Slim Woman many of their legends. Recognizing the need to record what she was learning, Louisa filled boxes with the information she was gathering. In addition to legends, she recorded the culinary, medicinal, and ceremonial uses for over  300 herbs. Louisa also persuaded Yellow Singer, a member of the Navajo Nation, to use crayons and pastels to record the ceremonial sand paintings. The information she gathered is housed in the libraries of Arizona’s universities.

When Louisa discovered the students in the government schools were being mistreated, she went to Washington, D.C., to meet with the President. This meeting is thought to have resulted in improved conditions. Louisa also served as spokesperson and interpreter when dealing with soldiers, marshals and agents, efforts that helped maintain peace. Both Louisa and John Wetherill are buried on a hill overlooking the land where their last trading post stood.

The information above is taken from a history of the chapter written by Susan Moore Teller, Founding Member and Past Chapter Regent, Asthon Sosi Chapter, NSDAR.