Oct 22nd

Born this day in 1845, Sarah Bernhardt, the greatest actress ever! Or so it seemed in Bernhardt's lifetime. There are so many tales about Sarah Bernhardt's personal life and her wildly successful career maybe it is true. The photos above are an indication of her presence. She played Hamlet, she played Cleopatra; and even after her right leg was amputated she still filled the theatre houses around the world. The voice, Bernhardt's voice was magical. So happy birthday, Sarah.

Sept 25th

On this day in 1981, Sandra Day O'Conner was sworn in as United States Supreme Court Justice,and yes, Justice O'Conner was the first woman to hold this office.

Today, the women of Saudi Arabia have won the Right to vote!

On this day in 1926, the International Slavery Convention signed by 20 states creating a foundation to end slavery. By 1956 most countries signed. They are leading the fight against Slavery. Even today there people mostly "girl-child" and women are robbed of their rights. Most disturbing and must be stopped. And other rights quietly stolen in plain view as women struggle to control their own future and claim their freedom from violence, sexual abuse, and control of their bodies. Education, suffrage and own their place in the world without any family member controlling their future.
Look for ways to support all women, young and old.

My other work has pulled away from my favorite place, women's history and so my blog suffered. Sorry readers and please keep checking in. Means allot. Thank you.

Sept 9th

Born this day in 1914, Marjorie Lee Brown, pioneer African American mathematician. Graduate cum laude from Howard University in 1935. M.S. in mathematics from University of Michigan in 1939. Teaching at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. At this time, Dr. Brown began work on her doctorate in Michigan during the summer and in 1947 she became a teaching fellow at the University of Michigan And in 1949, Brown earned her doctorate in mathematics. Dr. Brown then joined the faculty of North Carolina Central University and in 1951, Brown was made chair of the Mathematics department. Resigning the chair in 1970, but continued teaching until 1979. Dr. Brown's area of expert was combinatorial topology. In 1952-52 Dr. Browne won a Ford Foundation fellowship to study at Cambridge University and she traveled throughout Western Europe. Dr. Browne was the National Science Foundation Faculty Fellow studying computing and numerical analysis at the University of California.
In 1965-66, she won another fellowship studying differential topology at Columbia University. In 1975, Dr. Browne was the first recipient of the W.W. Rankin Memorial Award for Excellence in Mathematics Education North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Dr. Browne used her talents to secure grants and fellowships for the faculty and students. Also, Dr. Browne helped students find their way with their studies, preparing them for college. Sadly, Dr. Browne died suddenly,at the age of 65 from a heart attack.

Sept 7th

Born this day in 1860: Anna Robertson Moses or better known as Grandma Moses, folk artist. Moses lived, worked and then painted farm life. Her father's farm and then in marriage, farming. Moses gave birth to ten children, but only five survived infancy. Moses' first painting was due to need. Running out of wallpaper, she painted a scene, "Fireboard", it hangs today in the Bennington Museum in Bennington, Vermont. But, her true calling happened much later; after retiring and living with her daughter and son in law, Grandma Moses had to give up embroidering because of her arthritis and turned to painting. She was in her 70's. Then in 1938, art collector and engineer, Louis Caldor saw Grandma Mose's painting for sale in the drugstore window, and he bought all of them and then went to Moses' home to buy whatever else she had for sale. Then in 1939, her work was included in, "Contemporary Unknown Painters" show at New York's Museum of Modern Art. And as they say," the rest was history!" Grandma Moses met with immediate success; the following year her first one woman show in New York City.
Grandma Moses painted from memory, the memory of the many aspects of life on the farm. Moses had never trained as a painter- but that did not stop her from finding her extraordinary talent that is still as popular as ever. Scenes of snowy days, summer days, children playing, turkey hunts, Christmas on the farm. These slices of life spoke to many. Grandma Moses paintings are filled with joy and peace and love of home and family. It could be said these paintings are safe haven from the storms of life and isn't that wondrous.
Grandma Moses was so popular her work could be found a sorts of products from curtains to cigarette packs. The National Press Club called her of the most noteworthy women of 1950, National Ass. of House Dress Manufactures named her Woman of the Year in 1951. When Grandma Moses was 88, Mademosiselle magazine named her "Young Woman of the Year" When Philadelphia's Moore College of Art awarded her its first honorary doctorate degree, Moses had a cold and so she received the degree via the telephone.
Grandma Moses painted well over a 1,000 paintings, the seasons, the holidays, the community and love of it all so present in her work. her paintings have sold for over million dollars. Art Star!
Grandma Moses was the sweetheart of the folk art world. She lived the age of 101. On her 100th birthday, in 1960 Governor Rockfeller proclaimed it "Grandma Moses Day" for the state of New York her home state. Honored by a stamp in 1969. What a magical life. Moses inspired the world to rethink about age and what,who,when we are "old".

Sept 6th

Born this day in 1824, Maria Zakrzewska, pioneering physician. Zakrzewska was born in Berlin, Germany. Her grandmother was a veterinary surgeon, and her mother worked as a midwife. After her education in Germany and teaching for a year at the college; in 1853 Zakrzewska left for the United States. The first year, she worked in as a contract worker as a knitter in a home and then Zakrzewska met Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell. It is Blackwell that helped Zakrzewska attend Cleveland Medical College.
Dr. Blackwell's sister Dr.Emily Blackwell and Dr.Zakrzewska began their planning and fund raising to open a hospital for women and children and medical school for women. And in 1857, the New York Infirmary for Women and Children (now Beth Israel Medical Center).
In 1859, Dr. Zakrzewska moved to Boston to teach in the New England Female Medical College, which was a school of midwifery. Dissatisfied with the college, Zakrzewska convinced the Board of Lady Managers to open a new teaching hospital. The New England Hospital for Women and Children, opened in 1862. A ten bed hospital, became another building very quickly. An all female staff. Dr. Caroline Still, was invited to do her internship there. 1872 the hospital opened the first professional nursing school in the country. Their goal was to have a better hospital school than all males schools and by 1881 the school so well respected; the need to limit enrollment medical students already with an MD. Dr. Zak did have a private practice and in 1902 she died. But, Doctor Maria Zakrzewska changed the face of the education of medical field in the United States for the better.