Midge Turk Richardson

If you think it would be impossible to make a career change from the job you have to the job you want, look to Midge for inspiration. After much soul searching, this former nun left the order in 1966. She got married and in 1975 became the longest serving editor of Seventeen Magazine.

Think about what you want to accomplish. What do you want to get out of this life? What steps can you take to begin moving in that direction? It's never too late to reinvent yourself.

Mary McLeod Bethune

During the Reconstruction Period following the Civil War, freedoms for African-Americans in the South were still restricted by the white population. Jim Crow Laws (and before that, Black Codes) were the South's attempt to, essentially, keep African-Americans in slavery.

Mary McLeod Bethune was born free in South Carolina in 1875, but for her entire life, she was expected to follow rules like:

She would not be served a meal in the same building where the white population was eating.
She could not share any public space with the white population including buses, train stations, or schools.
She could not marry outside her race.

But Mary would not be discouraged. Once during a visit to a little white girl's home, she picked up a book.  The little girl scolded Mary to put the book down because she didn't have any right to be handling a book. Mary became determined to learn to read.

With few educational opportunities available for black children, Mary had to beg her parents to let her attend a school five miles from their home. She flourished and eventually became a teacher.

Wanting to provide better opportunities for other children (including her own) Mary started her own school in Florida. In the beginning, she collected items she needed for the school from the city trash. By 1904, she opened the Daytona Normal and Industrial School for Negro Girls. The school continued to grow and merged into Bethune-Cookman College in 1928.

Clara Barton, Founder of American Red Cross

Hurricane Sandy has been another chance for our country to come together and support each other. News reports of the damage caused to New Jersey and the surrounding areas have shown us the destruction. Over the years, tornadoes, war, tsunamis and other disasters have had their way with us. When disaster strikes, one of the best ways for us to support our neighbors is to support the American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton.

Clara worked in the patent office in Washington and was well aware of the horrors occurring on the Civil War battlefields. She wanted to do what she could to make a difference for the soldiers. She provided for their physical needs of food, bedding, and clothing, but she also offered emotional support by reading letters sent from family or just listening as the soldier shared his story.

After the war, she was ordered by a doctor to get some rest and Clara took a trip to Europe. She was introduced to the Red Cross in Europe and knew the U.S. would benefit from a similar program. She was 60 years old.

Don't ever think you are too old to make a difference and leave your mark on the world.

Women in History - right before your eyes

One of my favorite things involving women's history...any history really...is finding inventive ways for people to learn it.  I love reading, but history classes in school were always challenging.  I had a hard time focusing on the dry language and the chalky vision it provided of our nation's past.  Memorizing dates is not exactly making an impression on students.

Enter Women in History.  They saw a very real void that needed filling.  Students should know about women's contributions to American history and Women in History brought the very common historical re-enactment idea to the classroom. Jump back in time and listen as Susan B. Anthony tells you about being a leader in the women's suffrage movement.  Find out what life was like before and after the Titanic for Margaret Brown.

While performances are conducted most often in their home state of Ohio, they are willing to travel.

I haven't had the privilege of seeing a performance yet, but I love the concept and I enjoy promoting their work.  Even if you can't get to Ohio, you can still read about the actresses and the many historical women they bring to life.

How much more fun could a history class be?

Sarah Rosetta Wakeman

What's a woman to do if she wants to join her countrymen in the Civil War? She couldn't just walk into the recruitment office in 1861. Women weren't allowed to serve in the armed forces but it's estimated 400 women left society's expectations behind, disguised themselves as men and went off to war.

Check out the book written about her life, An Uncommon Soldier, by Lauren Cook Burgess

Meg Gill, Brewmaster

Twenty-seven year old Meg Gill is being called the youngest female brewery owner in the world. The naysayers be damned, this woman is going places in the craft beer market. Go get 'em, Meg!   

Sally Ride

First U.S. Woman in space dies at 61