Monday, March 4, 2013

Today Is Rebecca Gratz's 232nd Birthday

"Well-behaved women seldom make history."

One of the things I like best about Laurel Thatcher Ulrich's epigram is that qualifier "seldom."  If there is a subtext to this blog, it is that at least one well-behaved woman succeeded in changing and improving things in her corner of the world.  

Of course, Rebecca could be well-behaved because she had an unusual gift which assisted her in effecting her good works:  she was a private person (as all respectable women of the time were supposed to be) who was also a celebrity.  I hope to take up this part of Rebecca's story in the months ahead.

In the meantime, in honor of her birthday, let's raise a glass to Rebecca. 
Powered by WebRing.