December 22nd

Born this day in 1880, Aline Bernstein. Theatre designer of scenery and costumes.
Bernstein was also co-founder of the Museum of Costume Art which merged with Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1937. Bernstein began her career as designer at the Henry Street Neighborhood Playhouse, by volunteering to make the sets, the props, and the costumes. With "no budget"- Bernstein learned to make it work. Under Bernstein, the Playhouse was the first theatre to design and make their scenery, props, and costumes. The Playhouse was also known as a woman's theatre, "No man has anything whatsoever to do with it except by invitation." Critic John Gassner said, "scene designer originated in this small invovative community theatre." Yes, that is Bernstein. Even after she started working professionally, she still designed for The Playhouse. Bernstein was the first woman "invited" to join the Local 829, The Brotherhood of paintes, decorator and paperhangers-of the American Federation of Labor. They saw no reason to allow women. Until Aline Bernstein explained it to them. The Mother of Theactrical Design. She won the TONY for the 1949 opera "Regina" at the age of 70. She designed plays by Lillian Hellman, Eugene O"Neill, Elmer Rice, James Thurber to name a few. At age 45 Bernstein met Thomas Wolfe, he was 25 and they fell madly in love. The affair consumed them. Somehow, Aline kept her marriage together. And Bernstein also went deaf and learned to read lips so she could continue to work. Aline's last designed in 1953, "The World of Sholom Aleichem". Aline Bernstein helped shape the designing arts in American Theatre.

December 21st

Born this day in 1829, Laura Bridgman. The first American blind-deaf person to be truly educated. Laura Bridgeman taught Annie Sullivan the "Manual Alphabet", which in turn taught Helen Keller. Bridgman suffered an illness that left her blind and deaf at two. At home she was treated kindly and learned to sew and knit. And there was a kindly family friend- a bachelor, Mr. Asa Tenney who took an interest in Laura.
At age 8 Laura began a formal education at "Perkins School for the Blind." Dr. Howe developed an approach to communicating with his student. By using objects and pasting raised words to them, and then as Laura learned make the connections; Dr. Howe added the single letters- the alphabet and then numbers. And Howe pointed out "...human intelligence only requires stimulation." Luara is described as good natured but easily upset. Laura's story spread throughout the world. Charles Dickens visited the school in 1842. And writes about her in his journal. Laura began keeping a journal in 1842. And in 1867, a series of writings she called poems. "Holy Home", is the title of one of the popular poems. Living her life at the school, Laura taught and inspired her fellow human beings. She lived 50 years before Helen Keller and Helen's mother read about Laura and contacted the school. The rest is her-story.

December 20th

Doctor Lydia Sayer Hasbrouck was born this day in 1827. A suffragist and a doctor of Hydropathy. Most known for her refrom in women's dress. Women's clothing in the 19th century was very dangerous to their health. Crushed ribs, digestive problems, and back problems to name a few. Doctor Hasbrouck founded the Woman's magazine , "The Sibyl"(1856-1864) A dress reform publication for women. The above images are of the style of dress Hasbrouck advocated. Many of the well known suffragists of the time worn this style of dress long before the bloomers.

December 19th

Jane Cunningham Croly was born this day in 1829. Croly was a professional jounalist and was the first woman to have a sydicated column. Pen name, Jennie June. She was also made an editor at "New York World" in 1862. In 1868, Charles Dickens was speaking at the New York Press Club and women were banned from attending! So, Croly organized and founded, "Sorosis". The first women's club. And in 1889, "The New York Women's Press Club". Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1994.

Minnie Maddern Fiske or Mrs. Fiske (stage name) was born this day in 1865. Considered the most important American Actress of first part of the 20th century. Mrs. Fiske starred in Henrik Ibsen's plays; in 1903 "A Doll's House" and in 1904 "Hedda Gabber". Oh and she thought film did not suit her talents.

December 18th

The Dutch artist, Lottie van der Gaag was born this day in 1923. Her sculptures and paintings are part of the COBRA movement.

Josephine White Griffing, was born this day in 1842. Griffing spent her lifetime as an active reformer for anti-slavery and Women's Rights. She did marry and moved to Ohio and there her home was one of the stops on the Underground Railroad. In the 1850's Griffing traveled throughout Ohio, Michigan and Indiana lecturing about the Anti-Slavery Movement. She also wrote articles for the "Anti-Slavery Bugle". In 1862, Griffing moved to Washington, D.C. with her three daughters; leaving her husband behind in Ohio. Freed slaves were pouring into the D.C. area in large numbers and Griffing moved there with a plan to help organize this movement.And Abraham Licoln supported her work. Griffing was also a Member of the National Freedmen's Relief Association. In 1863, she worked on the Bill "Emancipation of Slaves" which finally passed in 1865 in the House of Representatives. Griffing establshed an industrial school for freed women slaves and upon ccompleting this schooling, the women were given a set of clothes. And Griffing also helped to move these women North to homes and jobs. Griffing also worked for the Women's Suffrage Movement. Josephine spent her life helping to free slaves and then to help create a better life.