c) Sacagawea

Sacagawea, a young Shoshone woman, played an invaluable role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition, guiding them through the Rocky Mountains. Kidnapped by Hidatsa Indians as a child and later married to a French-Canadian fur trader, her linguistic skills and knowledge of the terrain proved crucial. Not just a guide, Sacagawea was a symbol of peace to other tribes, helping the expedition establish critical relationships and negotiate safe passage. Her presence with a newborn baby softened the perception of the expedition party as a military threat, facilitating smoother interactions with the Native tribes they encountered.