February 26th

Born this day in 1858, Lavinia Dock Lloyd, nurse, pioneer in nursing education, author and suffragist. Lloyd's first medical book was much needed; it listed a standard nurses manual of drugsMateria Medica for Nurses published in 1890Lloyd was also the editor to the American Journal of Nursing A History of Nursing 4 volumes. In 1893 Lloyd was one of the founders of The American Society of superintendents of Training Schools for Nurses of the United States and Canada. Retiring at the age of 50, Lloyd joined the National Women's Party led by Alice Paul and participated in the protests in front of the Whitehouse which lead to her arrest three times. Throughout her life, Lloyd never stopped educating women about their health. She was an advocate for improving working conditions, the elimination of prostitution and venereal diseases!

February 25th

Born this day in 1842, Ida Lewis, lighthouse keeper, bravest woman in America(in her lifetime). Ida Lewis was most importantly known for her rescues! 18-36 folks saved at sea because of her bravery. Those men and a few women who would have been lost at sea if it had not been for Ida Lewis' brave actions. Without concern for her own life Lewis would dash for her boat- and with the strength of a strong man, off she went in moments she was there- very strong and very fast. Her most famous rescue was two soldiers whose boat capsized in a winter storm and Ida saw it- in moments not even stopping to put on shoes or a coat she was there and saved their lives. They awarded her with 218 dollars collected at Fort Adams. Her life began on Lime Rock because her father was hired as lighthouse keeper when Ida was 12. It turned into her life's work when a stroke that left her father ill and then took his life. Ida and her mother acted as the Lighthouse Keeper. (at this time Ida was only 14 so officially it was her mother) but it became clear that is was Ida who was the Keeper of the Light. For 39 years, Lewis spent her life in service- her fame spread throughout the country. Lewis received many accolades in her lifetime including the Gold Life Saving Medal. And Lime Rock Island name changed to Ida Lewis Island. Songs were written and hats and scarves created about Ida Lewis.

Harper's Weekly, written after Ida had made several daring rescues, debated whether it was "feminine" for women to row boats, but concluded that none but a "donkey" would consider it "unfeminine" to save lives oh the Victorians!

February 24th

On this day in 1968 Jocelyn Bell discovers 1st pulsar. "A bit of scuff" she knighted Little Green Man (LGM1). It changed the heavenly bodies.

On this day in 1981, Jean Harris is convicted of murdering Scarsdale diet doctor Tarnower. While in prison Harris revolutionized the prison's educational system. Making it possible for inmates to complete their GED and work toward a college degree. Released in 1992, Harris maintains she did not murder Tarower.

February 23rd

Born this day in 1868, Katherine Pettit. Progressive Educator. Pettit was part of the Settlement Movement,an idea that if the poor were educated with the rich, it would be more likely that poor would have a better chance of a higher education and then a better life. In 1902 Pettit and May Stone established Hindman Settlement School in Kentucky. Pettit went on to also open the Pine Mountain Settlement.

Born this day in 1901, Ruth Nichlos, aviation pioneer. She was the "only woman yet to hold simultaneous world records for speed, altitude, and distance for a female pilot." From a wealthy family and graduate from Wellsley College, her career went against her family, and when she flew from New York City to Miami, the press called her the "The Flying Debutant". Nichlos standing record, set in 1931: speed record of 210.704 mph, an altitude record of 28,743 feet, and a nonstop distance record of 1,977.6 miles. Her autobiography, Wings For Life

February 22nd

Born this day in 1838, Margaret Munson Sangster, an author and editor. In 1855
Sangster began her career at age 17 by submitting a children's story titled, Little Janney. From this Sangster was commissioned to do 100 stories and with drawings. It wasn't until after her husband's death that Sangster found her true calling as editor for Harper's Bazzar and she also continued her childrens literary work with a dash of poetry. In her life time Sangster was one of America's most popular writer.