Women as Agents of
Change
A different
kind of revolution has occurred in the United States since the American Revolution. John Hoyle Chapter Daughters of the American
Revolution used narration, music, antique clothing and historic objects to
enlighten Chapter members of women’s impact in American history over the last
250 years. Members Suzanne Williams and
Harriet Bannon, assisted by Melinda Herzog, Executive Director of the Catawba
County Historical Association and Denise Baxter Yoder, vocalist with the
Puddingstone Group, facilitated the presentation at the October 14 meeting.
Upon
arrival, members received a feast for the eyes - Peggy Travis and Tina Hatcher,
mother and daughter, modeling Victorian-era gowns. Travis and Hatcher research and sew their
own authentic costumes. Travis wore a
brilliant two-piece blue calico print trimmed in white over a puffy white
blouse and hoop skirts. A small lacy
white hat trimmed in ribbons and flowers, delicate gloves and a large broach
finished off the look. Hatcher wore a gorgeous
Victorian off-the-shoulder lavender satin ballgown laden with lace and made voluminous
with a hoop, long white gloves and a dramatic feather headpiece. Around her waist was a long silk bag to
discreetly carry her umbrella if needed as protection against the sun.
Williams then
introduced the presentation, and Yoder launched an instrumental vocal of “I Am
Woman” by Helen Reddy. Historian and storyteller
par excellence Melinda Herzog began the narrative of the struggles of North
Carolina woman Grace Bowman. Bowman
manufactured gunpowder for the patriots during the Revolution. While looking for the culprit, British
loyalists came upon Grace’s farm. They
didn’t find the gunpowder but stole some of her horses. She went after them and forced the soldiers
to return her livestock. Like Grace,
many brave women were instrumental in winning American independence.
Women’s
suffrage, the Temperance Movement and serving in public office were Herzog’s
next subjects. This was the era of
Carrie “down with demon rum” Nation and Florence Nightingale, a celebrated
English social reformer and founder of modern nursing. To set the tone, Denise Baxter Yoder sang and
played “The Temperance Army” followed by a costumed, corseted and clamorous
Carrie Nation as portrayed by Peggy Travis, a historical researcher and member
of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Next Herzog
spoke of labor conditions and especially child labor from mid-1800s through
WWI. During this period Florence Kelley,
American social and political reformer, campaigned against dangerous and
difficult work conditions and the exploitation of children in factories and
tenement sweatshops. This era is documented in more than 5,000 heart-rending
photos by Lewis Hine (1874-1940), American photographer and sociologist, housed
at the Library of Congress. One positive
outcome of WWI and WWII was getting women into the workforce and preparing them
for a political and economic voice. Period
music “Babies in the Mill” and “Bread and Roses” were sung by Yoder, as John
Hoyle Chapter DAR Chaplain Betty Schwartz appeared in a historic nursing uniform.
Finally,
changes in laws and attitudes toward education for women and children were
explored by Herzog. In rural America,
wealthy farmers and plantation owners hired tutors to educate their children,
and often children of surrounding well-to-do neighbors were included. This practice helped only the privileged
until public education laws were passed for all children. Today we are surprised to learn that from
circa 1840 up to the 1930’s, a woman had to be single to teach. If she wished to marry, she had to give up
her career. Betty Schwartz and Eleanor
Herbert modeled a typical teacher’s and young girl’s clothing from that period
while the 1907 song “School Days” was played and sung by Yoder.
The meeting
ended with an exhibit of interesting and antique items primarily used by women
over the years, and a viewing of a portrait painted by member Carol de Perzcel
titled “Granny’s Gown”.
