Lecture: Rebranding The West’s Oldest Profession

In the last days of the Old West, Madams Mae Phelps and Dora Topham were wealthy “Underworld Queens,” Panderers and Social Reformers. Dora Topham was commissioned by the Salt Lake City mayor and city council to organize “The Stockade,” a block of prostitution in the downtown area, not far from the Temple. Mae Phelps, like Dora Topham, championed health care for her ladies and worked with civic leaders. Mae also organized a Madams’ Association.