One Remarkable Lady: Sarah Josepha Hale

I have to admit I'd never heard of this woman before, but had I known about her, I definitely would have made a day's lesson about her life and times and the role of women. I'd have taught it right around Thanksgiving and you'll see the reason later. Had she only done that, that would have been worthy, but, then there were all of her other accomplishments. Again, one REMARKABLE LADY.

What brought her to my attention was Little Steven in his Underground Garage radio show that I listen to on Chicago's WXRT Monday nights at 10 PM, right after another favorite show of mine, Tom Marker's Bluesbreakers. WXRT streams live and I highly suggest you listen to these shows, although Little Steven is syndicated so may be on a show in your area.

Sarah Josepha Hale was Little Steven's Freak of the Week, an honor that he gives to one person, usually someone who few have ever heard of.

Here is what Little Steven had to say:

What do you do with the person responsible for having Thanksgiving as a national holiday? A person who earned a college degree without going to class? Taught school to support her five children when women weren't allowed to teach school and wrote the lyrics to "Mary Had a Little Lamb?" What do you do with a person like that? You make her Freak of the Week.

Sarah Josepha Hale was born Sarah Buehl on a farm in Newport, NH, October 24, 1788. She loved education, but in those days, women went maybe as far as high school. Her brother went to Dartmouth College and would teach her what he learned every single day which he deserves some rather serious recognition himself.

At 18, she wanted to teach, but society said women don't teach, so she started a private school and taught there.

She married a lawyer named David Hale and starts writing articles and gets published in a local paper. Her husband dies suddenly and leaves her with five kids so she goes back to teaching.

But in 1827 writes a book called "Northwoods, a Tale of New England." This was so impressive, she was made editor of a magazine called "American Ladies Magazine."

She then went on to start the Seaman's Society to help feed and house and provide job skills to destitute women. She campaigned for women to be able to be physicians which she won.

She got Vassar to have female instructors and female administrators. She campaigned tirelessly for child welfare, women's rights, and other civic causes.

Meanwhile, George Washington had issued a presidential proclamation to declare Thanksgiving a national event, but Thomas Jefferson canceled it, saying, "Who cares about a couple Pilgrims picking birdshot out of their teeth?" That is a quote. (Little Steven has a sense of humor.)

Sarah went after Abe Lincoln and wouldn't let up until he made it official which he finally did in 1863.

And, in her spare time, she wrote "Mary Had a Little Lamb."

I also found out she helped raise money to build the Bunker Hill Monument and, during WWII, a Liberty ship was named after her.

Again, One REALLY Remarkable Woman. --RoadDog