It was also the first commercially successful song written by a woman. The song is about a Native American girl who sings about her warrior as she travels along the Juniata River. Marion Dix Sullivan is known as the first American woman to write a hit song and her songs are referenced in Mark Twain's autobiography. Marion also wrote many other songs, but none achieved the popularity of "The Blue Juniata". African American music was also becoming popular during this time along with more female artists, proof that such were the times