Anita King was the toast of the town in 1915 when she became the first woman to drive an automobile across the United States alone.
It was the courageous spirit of King, a Michigan City-born silent film star, that captured the attention of Kayla Vasilko, a 22-year-old Purdue University Northwest senior.
Vasilko, who two years ago began researching the life of a woman born nearly 137 years ago, called the journey of Anita King the definition of the American dream. Anita herself is a symbol of courage, determination and feminine strength, Vasilko said.
The Crown Point woman credits Purdue University Northwest Professor Jerry Holt with providing her the first glimpse into the life of Anita Hill at an annual event called Starwalk.