Nov 6th

Born this day in 1946, Sally Field, actor,advocate for women's rights. Sally Field was a teen star on television in the early 1960's, first as "Gidget" fun loving teen who loved the beach and boys! Ms. Field's next role was the lead as Sister Bertrille in "The Flying Nun" and she was this young flying nun who wanted to help all the helpless, but somehow there was always somehow got into trouble, but with grace found her way out. Other like-minded roles were being offered, but... Ms. Field was in an actor's worse nightmare (after conquering unemployment) typecasting. And so she did something about it. "Sybil", a young woman afflicted with Dissociative Identity Disorder; the performance was amazing and very real. Ms. Field won the Emmy for best female actor in a lead. And she deserved it. From this point Sally Field had broken out of the loopy girl next door role and was able to go for the serious roles and part with "tooth". "Norma Rae", "Places In the Heart" won the Oscar, "Steel Magnolia's", "Murphy's Romance","Forrest Gump", to name a few, and now is she filming Spielberg's "Lincoln" as Mary Todd inwhich I have no doubt will be an amazing performance. My personal favorite Sally Field film is a hoot and amazing, "Soapdish". Very funny. She and Whoopie Goldburg are magical together.
Besides Ms. Field's film, she is also an activist for women's rights. She serves on the Board of Directors of Vital Voices Global Partnership, an international women's NGO, and has co-hosted the Global Leadership Awards six times.
Sally Field is a woman who does great work in her field but, she also stands up for women's rights which do need all the support they can get-

Nov 5th

Born this day in 1834,Anna Leonwens. Author of "Anna and the King of Siam" based on her life in Thailand. A British travel writer, educator, and social activist. But, it was Anna's travels to Mongkut, where she taught the wives and children of King of Siam and this experience lead to her book. And the book lead to three films -most memorable Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1951 musical comedy, "The King and I". Ms. Leonwens also co-founded the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.

Born this day in 1850, Ella Wheeler Wilscox, an American poet. Known as a popular poet, "Laugh and the world world laughs with you; weep and you weep alone". She wrote for the Hearst Newspapers and was syndicated throughout the country.

Nov 4th

On this day in 1965, Dickey Chapelle died in the battlefields of Vietnam. An American photojournalist, and war correspondent during WWII and the Vietnam War. Dickey Chapelle was a petite woman and her signature uniform: army fatigues, Australian bush hat, harlequin glasses and pearl earrings. Chapelle's calling was in her own words, "eyeballing history." or in the action. Chapelle was outspoken eccentric, with a voice like a ``marine drill sergeant.'' She would go beyond the call of duty; following the troops into the war zones to get the real story. But she had to fight her way into the war zone. Ms. Chapelle's first opportunity to go into battle was during World War II, following the Marines into the Battles of Iwo Jima and then Okinawa. Chapelle learned to jump with the paratroopers- she usually traveled with the troops. This tiny lady received many awards and the respect of the military and the journalism community.
While following a platoon on patrol on the front line, a land mine was set off by the soldier in front of her- Dickey Chapelle became the first woman to be killed in action and the first photo-journalist to be killed in the Vietnam War. Dickey Chapelle's courage gave courage.

Nov 3rd

On this day in 1793, Olympe de Gouges was guillotined. An advocate for Human Rights,
Ms. de Gouges led a progressive life style for her time. She married once and that was enough. A playwright by trade, she used her sharp writing skills to give focus to the plight of women and blacks. Ms. de Gouges wrote a letter in 1791 to Marie-Antoinette declaring "Rights for Women". This is the first document written to support women's rights. Based on the manifesto, "Rights for Men". She was also quoted as saying, "A woman has the right to mount the scaffold(executed) she must possess equally the right to mount the speaker's platform." Through her writing and in her death she achieved both.
(http://studymore.org.uk/xoly.htm) This is the best translation I found and if you know a better one, please share.

Also on this day in 1970, Bella Savitsky Abzug was elected to Congress. A leader in Women's Movement. Known as 'Battling Bella", "Mother Courage" and 'Hurricane Bella"
Ms. Abzug was quoted, "This woman's place is in the House- the House of Representatives!"

Oct 31st

Born this day in 1874, Ms. Rose was a pioneer in nutrition. With a Ph D from Yale in physiological chemistry. Ms. Rose established a department of nutrition and developed nutrition education programs for public schools and all this while teaching at Teachers College, Columbia from 1909-40. Many publications include but are not limited to: "The Standard Foundations of Nutrition" 1927; "How to Plan Meals in Wartime" 1917; "Some Food Facts to Help the Housewife in Feeding the Family" 1918;
and my favorite title: "Economical Diet and Cookery in Time of Emergency" Thank you Mary. And Happy Halloween! Candy is good for you, right? Irony. Can't make this stuff up.