If you were a young woman in the late 1800s, the only thing you were supposed to achieve in your life was a good marriage. That was a real problem for Edith Newbold Jones. She was a born storyteller and just wanted to write. That was a real problem for her mother, who just wanted Edith to marry well and be a “proper” society lady. A lady’s name should appear in print three times, her mother told her. Birth, marriage and death.
I really enjoy these pieces, but it's surprising at how slow the progress of women has been to achieve parity with the other 50% of the population. I've been reading "Proving Ground" by Kathy Kleiman, which tells the story of the first computer programmers, all women, who never even got their names credited on photos.
Inspiring! I grew up in the 60s...and my mother felt the same as Edith's. Obviously that didn't quite work out as she wanted. :) I'd take the Pulitzer any day!
This is so fascinating, Linda! And I love the way you wrote it :)
I really enjoy these pieces, but it's surprising at how slow the progress of women has been to achieve parity with the other 50% of the population. I've been reading "Proving Ground" by Kathy Kleiman, which tells the story of the first computer programmers, all women, who never even got their names credited on photos.
Inspiring! I grew up in the 60s...and my mother felt the same as Edith's. Obviously that didn't quite work out as she wanted. :) I'd take the Pulitzer any day!