Hello ,
It's often a challenge to find proof of the historical contributions of women, but each year the month of March is set aside to celebrate women who have made a difference.
Let's take a look beyond Betsy Ross...
Women of the American Revolution
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Nearly every American school child knows the name of Betsy Ross, the woman famous for designing and sewing the first American flag. One legend goes so far as to say that Betsy convinced George Washington that five-sided stars would be better than the six he suggested because they could be cut out with one snip of scissor. The fact is, there is no hard evidence that Betsy Ross made the first American Flag, and there is even dispute over whether she actually lived in the "Betsy Ross House" which is
Philadelphia's most popular tourist attractions. Been there myself!
In honor of Women's History Month A Heroine of the American Revolution
Deborah Sampson had what she judged to be an inappropriate yearning for adventure. She dressed in a men's suit
and visited a fortuneteller. She admitted "it was was not to stimulate, but to divert her inclinations from objects which not only seemed presumptuous, but impracticable.
Her inclinations continued, however, and at last Deborah set out from her home in Middleboro, MA where she was a school teacher, and disguised in waistcoat and breeches, she traveled to Worcester where she enlisted in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment, as Robert
Shurtliff. Deborah Sampson found war to be terrifying and exhausting, as described her experience to her memoir writer in 1797. “She
says she underwent more with fatigue and heat of the day, than by fear of being killed; although her left-hand man was shot dead at the second fire, and her ears and eyes were continually tormented with the expiring agonies and horrid scenes of many others struggling in their blood. She recollects but three on her side who were killed....She escaped with two shots through her coat, and one through her cap…She now says no pen can describe her feelings experienced in the commencement of an
engagement, the sole object of which is to open the sluices of human blood.
But Deborah stuck to her guns, fighting with her countrymen for two-and-a-half long years. She was shot twice, once in the thigh, after which she removed the bullet herself. Unfortunately the wound pained her for her entire life. It was a fever that finally felled this soldier, and during her hospitalization a doctor discovered her breasts bound with cloth.
Deborah feared punishment for her deception, but received an honorable discharge.
In 1898, an article in the New York Times told Deborah Sampson's story. "As a soldier she showed great activity, courage and valor. On scouting parties she would usually ride forward a little nearer the enemy than any of her comrades dared. She was
very fleet, and had the reputation of being the fastest runner in the army.
She went through three campaigns without the discovery of her sex and consequently without the loss of her virtue. Her delicate appearance and particularly her having no beard was often noticed, but her sex was never suspected.
After her military service Deborah married, mothered four children and worked a small farm with her husband.Similar to many revolutionary war soldiers, Deborah fought hard and long for a pension, finally receiving on with the help of admirer Paul Revere. I came across a favorite poem this week, right when I needed it. David Whyte is one of the voices that always brings me right back to where I belong. START CLOSE IN ~David Whyte Start close in,
don't take the second step
or the third,
start with the
first
thing
close in,
the step
you don't want to take.
Start with
the ground
you know,
the pale ground
beneath your feet,
your own
way of starting
the conversation. Start with your own question,
give up on other people's questions, don't let them
smother something simple. this is not the end. Read more here....
For Women's History book recommendations be sure to keep up with the KidLit Celebrates Women's
History blog, which will feature one or more new books each day in March. It's organized by two librarians, Lisa Taylor in New Jersey and Margo Tanenbaum in Southern California. These women have their finger on the pulse of what's new in Children's/YA books coast to coast. Thank you for spending a few minutes with me today. Your support means a lot to me, and I'm always happy to hear your thoughts. If you know someone who might enjoy this newsletter, please forward this e-mail. Currently, new subscribers will be entered in a drawing to win a $25 gift certificate to their favorite independent books store.
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To find out more about my books, how I help students, teachers and librarians, visit my website at www.MaryCronkFarrell.com. My best, Mary
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