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.

Sept 5th

Born this day in 1867, Amy Cheney Beach, child prodigy pianist and composer. Beach was playing the piano at age three, her formal training began at age six with her mother. Beach made her debut at age seven. In 1875 Beach's family moved to Boston and it is in Boston that Beach goes into serious training in piano, harmony, counterpoint, an composition. In 1885 Beach has her piano debut with the Boston Symphony. Marriage brought a hiatus to Beach's career and so at home, she composed.
Over 150 works during the Romantic period. After the death of her husband, Beach went on a world tour, making up for lost time. The premiere of the "Gaelic Symphony" on October 30th 1896 preformed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The first woman composer. Beach wrote the opera Cabildo in 1932. Retiring in 1940 with heart disease and Christmas 1944 Beach died.

Sept 4th

Born this day in 1824, Phoebe Cary, poet. Phoebe and her sister Alice wrote poetry on their family farm in Ohio. At the time, her sister Alice was more prolific, though Phoebe wrote less, her work today is viewed as more refine. The sisters both were published in their teens. Edgar Allen Poe and John Greenleaf Whittier recognized their work that the sisters published, "Poems of Alice and Phoebe Cary" in 1850. With positive reviews, the sisters moved to New York City. The Cary sisters held salons on Sunday evenings that began famous- they were famous. Phoebe was assistant editor for Susan B. Anthony's newspaper,"The Revolution". Both were published in regularly in national newspapers and magazines. Sadly, Alice (4 years older than Phoebe)suffering from exhaustion, died at the age of 51. Phoebe,heart broken died five months later, age 47.


On this day in 1992, Oprah Winfry hosted the 1st non news program seen on three networks simultaneously (CBS, NBC and PBS). "Scared Silent", a program addressing child abuse.

September 3rd

Born this day in 1910, Dorothy Maynor, internationally known soprano and founder of The Harlem School of Arts. "She had a soaring, bell-like soprano capable of exquisite musical effects, supported by a sincere and ardent temperament," wrote Nicolas Slonimsky. Manyor's career was at its height in the 1930's and 40's Depuis Le jour, from Charpentier's Louise was signature song and their was always a standing ovation. Maynor was African American was banned from singing in opera houses. She was one of the most sought after artists and one of the highest paid. The radio, and her public, Manyor's career was internationally acclaimed. Her recordings were best sellers and always heard on the radio.
In 1963 Maynor opened the Harlem School of the Arts a church annex with 12 students who she taught pinao lessons. And the rest is history or her-story. By 1979 the School was a 37,000 square foot facility with over 1,000 students in college preparatory programs in the performing arts and visual arts. A legacy that given a future to the Arts in the United States. Maynor also retired in 1979 to a quiet life with her husband in Pennsylvania.
It must also be noted that in 1975, Maynor was the first African- American to serve as one of the Board of Directors for the New York Metropolitan Opera.


Born this day in 1961, Amy Sullivan,artist,scenic artist. Sullivan's is best known for her portrait of children and her theatrical scenic work. Her scenic work is always on view at Universal Studios "King Kong" in Florida. She worked with Disney's On Ice Shows, "The Little Mermaid" "Aladdin" and many others. She was also the scenic painter for the Washington DC's Opera and the Washington Ballet. Sullivan was head scenic artist for Theatre IV's National Children's Touring shows and the Barksdale's theatre productions. Sullivan's love of children is truly expressed in her portrait painting, capturing them in intimate moments that give her subjects an endearing liveliness. Sullivan is still active in her scenic and portrait painting.