It's All About Us

"If society will not admit of woman's free development, then society must be remodeled." - Elizabeth Blackwell*

March is Women's History Month.

There are larger-than-life women in history who changed society or certainly left an imprint. These trailblazers come to mind: Gloria Steinem, Sojourner Truth, Jane Addams, Sandra Day O'Connor, Nellie Bly and Amelia Earhart.

There are also women whose names are not always as well known. Their accomplishments are very important too and they deserve our thanks.

And, there are the moments when women's lives changed for the better.

Famous or not, let's give all of them our loudest applause this month.

1760s - First female publisher...Mary Katherine Goddard published the Providence Gazette, and also served as the first female postmistress in 1775.

1782 - Deborah Sampson, disguised as a man, enlisted in the Continental Army.

*1849 - Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman in the United States to receive a medical degree.

1860s-1890s - The "Seven Sisters" colleges were established for women. The seven were: Vassar, Wellesley, Smith, Radcliffe, Bryn Mawr, Barnard and Mount Holyoke.

1869 - Arabella Mansfield was the first woman in U.S. history granted permission to practice law (in Iowa).

1884 - First public high school for girls opened in Worcester, MA.

1920 - Ratification of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote.

1925 - Nellie Tayloe Ross, of Wyoming, was the first female governor.

1933 - Frances Perkins was the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet. She was named Secretary of Labor by President Franklin Roosevelt.

1938 - Pearl Buck was the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. She had been awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 for her novel, The Good Earth.

1972 - Women dominated the Grammy Awards. Carole King won for best record, best song and album. Carly Simon was named as best new artist.

1987 - The National Museum of Women opened in Washington, D.C.

         - Aretha Franklin was the first woman inducted in the 

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2009 - Kathryn Bigelow was the first woman to win Best Director/  

Oscar for her movie The Hurt Locker.

Recommended Books

Non-fiction

Personal History - Graham, Katharine. This is a revealing memoir of Graham's evolution from dutiful daughter to owner of the Washington Post.

What Now - Patchett, Ann. You may be 22; you may be 52 - one of life's questions is "what now?". This amazing essay brings us along on Patchett's personal journey. Patchett is also a successful novelist (Bel Canto, State of Wonder).

Girls Like Us - Weller, Sheila. A tender yet revealing look at three musically powerful women: Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon.

Happiness Project - Rubin, Gretchen. Yes, this book exhausted me with the lists and goals. Yes, I still recommend it. Who doesn't want to improve her life?

Mothers in Charge - Harris, Paul Nigel, editor. Two Philadelphia mothers joined together to fight violence. What brought them together? Their two sons were murdered by the same man.

Let's Take the Long Way Home - Caldwell, Gail. A beautifully written memoir detailing the sweetness of women's friendships and the love of a good dog. Every woman should read this book!

Bossypants - Fey, Tina. My favorite chapter is the love letter to Amy Poehler titled "I Don't Care If You Like It." Tina's advice to all for us? "Do your thing and don't care if they like it." 

Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Skloot, Rebecca. Lacks' cells were used to combat viruses, develop the polio vaccine and other medical breakthroughs. Neither she nor her family ever benefited from the cells' use.

The Girls from Ames - Zaslow, Jeffrey. This is a story of 40 years of friendship and sticking by each other in good or bad times. Judging by the writing, Zaslow had a tremendous respect for women. Sadly, Zaslow was killed in a car accident in February 2012.

Shelf Life - Shea, Suzanne Strempek. Shea was recovering from cancer treatment when she decided to work in a friend's book store. I guarantee you'll laugh and cry throughout this book. Check out Shea's fiction, too.

Fiction 

These Is my Words - Turner, Nancy. Turner's novel is drawn from her great-grandmother's own experiences about life in Arizona in the 1880s.

Prayers for Sale - Dallas, Sandra. Historical fiction at its best...Dallas is wonderful writer. Read this tale spun by Hennie Comfort in 1930s Colorado.

The Girls - Lansens, Lori. I often recommend this book. The plot drew me in and the pages were quickly turned. This is the story of conjoined sisters, Rose and Ruby.

My Name is Mary Sutter - Oliveira, Robin. This novel covers the bases: role of women in 1860s America; Civil War; medical care, etc... Mary Sutter is an amazing young woman.

Wednesday Sisters - Clayton, Meg Waite. Five women first meet in the turbulent 1960s and we are invited along as they each share their secrets in a writing group.

The Paris Wife - McLain, Paula. Fictionalized account of Hemingway's first wife, Hadley, and their time together in Paris. It didn't change my mind about Hemingway (I'm not a fan) but I will be reading "A Moveable Feast."

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Smith, Betty. If you didn't read this classic back in middle school, read it now. Francie Nolan is still one of my literary heroes.

Trixie Belden - Campbell, Julie. Way back when, I was hooked on the series beginning with "The Secret of the Mansion." Trixie is spunky, brave, and kind. The series may be geared for nine-year-old girls, but slightly older girls will still enjoy the adventures of Trixie, Honey & Jim.

Revenge of the Radioactive Lady - Stuckey French, Elizabeth. The cover art caught my eye but the writing kept my interest. This is the wild story of Marylou Ahearn, who at 77, planned to kill the doctor who had given her a radioactive "cocktail" many years before. 

Happy Reading!