June 1st

On this day in 1657, the Quakers arrived in New Amsterdam (New York).

On this day in 1660, Mary Dyer was hanged in Boston, Mass. Dyer was a follower of Anne Hutchinson. Quakerism was the faith that Dyer preached and was banished from Massachusetts. But, she did return.

She died a martyr, as she was hanged on Boston Common for the crime of being a Quaker in Massachusetts. Her execution is described by Edward Burrough in A Declaration of the Sad and Great Persecution and Martyrdom of the People of God, called Quakers, in New-England, for the Worshipping of God (1661).

On this day in 1993, Connie Chung joined Dan Rather as anchors of CBS Evening News.

May 31st

While researching women's herstory it is hard to find stories that date earlier than the 16th century. But, today's date does carry two- all the "today in history' had these exact words:
1531 "Women's Revolt" in Amsterdam: wool house in churchyard aborted But, what does that mean? wool house and aborted?? in a churchyard?
Well, the burgomasters of Amsterdam decided to build a storehouse for wool on The Holy Place (why was it Holy? In 1345, a dying man had just received the holy sacrament, and then vomited right back up and the vomit was thrown into the fire and in the morning when the coals were raked over the sacrament was found to be still a prefect white and in tact making this location, The Holy Place). So when in 1531, the government want to build this storehouse for wool in this very Holy Place... The pious women of Amsterdam petitioned the burgomasters not to commit this horror in The Holy Place. But, the burgomasters unmoved began to dig the foundation for the wool storehouse.
And on this night, so very long ago, 300 pious women with shovels in hand refilled the foundation dirt back into the holes dug that day. And this was, The Women's Uprising of 1531 or revolt of 1531.

We have another early date. On this day in 1678, Lady Godiva rode nude through Coventry,England in protest of taxes. Really, so when this event dates anywhere between 1012 to 1678 and to Godiva's nakedness...Godiva was said to have had very long hair that covered her nude body or maybe it was shift or a just a belt. And Peeping Tom is connected to this legend; he was struck blind for peeping at Godiva! And there are many, many, many women who enjoy being photographed butt naked while riding a horse. Now, if they were all eating that yummy Godiva chocolate while riding a horse.



Born this day in 1912, Chien-Shiung Wu, physicist. Wu was part of the team that worked on the "Manhattan Project", because of her expertise in techniques of experimental physics and radioactivity.
(She helped to develop the process for separating uranium metal into the U-235 and U-238 isotopes by gaseous diffusion).
Wu also is well known for her experiments that overturned the basic law of physics called parity conservation and revolutionized the study of particle physics
Wu, also a professor at Columbia, has combined scientific rigor with the joy and mystery of the creative spirit. She was nicknamed The First Lady of Physic.

May 30th

On this day, Mrs. Mary Logan, married to Congressman John Logan suggested that the observation of Decoration Day should be changed to "Memorial Day" in the year 1868.

Born this day in 1794, Zilpah Polly Grant Baninster, founder of Female Seminary in Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1828. Baninster was an advocate for women's education, and aide this cause, she founded the school. Baninster felt that education should not be approached for grades but for the joy of learning.

On this day in 1431, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. She was 19 years old. This young woman's story has inspired artists to paint, write poetry, films, plays and still inspire people. A young girl from a poor home and no education, she believed God sent her a message to help her people and King in a time of great unrest and war. Today is also the Feast of Joan of Arc.

May 29th

On this day in 1861, Dorothea Dix offered her services to the Union Army, setting up hospitals. But, her task included much, much more..Dix convinced the Army to allow her to "hire" female nurses and then train them for the causalities of war. She recruited mature nurses (over the age of 30.) They were required to wear somber clothing. And no thoughts of marriage! No one thoughts the number of men who died on the battlefield and the hospital would reach 618,000 and some experts say 700,000. Little did anyone know just how important the Army Nursing Corp would play in the Civil War. And it must be noted that of all these fine women, none of them were on the payroll, not even Ms. Dix.

On this day in 1912, 15 young women were fired from Curtis Publishing Company for dancing the "Turkey Trot" during their lunch break.

On this day in 1977, Janet Guthrie became the 1st woman to drive in the Indy 500

On this day in 1977, Sue Press, became the first woman golfer to hit consecutive holes-in one.

May 28th

Born this day in 1913,May Swenson, poet. Swenson grew up in a Swedish speaking home even though the family was located in Logan, Utah and her father was a college professor at Utah State University which the same school Swenson attended for college. After college, and few writing job as a reporter; she went to live in New York where she lived most of her life.
Swenson's poetry is viewed as "adventurous word play and erotic exuberance." Her work has been honored by the many awards given to great talented artists of our culture. Her poetry is compared to ee cumming and Gertrude Stein.

Question
by May Swenson

Body my house
my horse my hound
what will I do
when you are fallen

Where will I sleep
How will I ride
What will I hunt

Where can I go
without my mount
all eager and quick
How will I know
in thicket ahead
is danger or treasure
when Body my good
bright dog is dead

How will it be
to lie in the sky
without roof or door
and wind for an eye

With cloud for shift
how will I hide
On this day in 1963, The Equal Pay Act was passed. But, when will it be followed?