While I am not particularly impressed with the language of this poem, the sentiment it expresses is remarkable for the Relief Society Magazine at the time. Holding out Amelia Earhart as a role model was perhaps controversial in an LDS magazine for women, but certainly reflected the country’s fascination with her. It would not be difficult to see how a farmer’s wife could take a break from chores, and get a vicarious thrill from reading this.
That’s one thing I love best about the Relief Society Magazine from this era, kevinf — there is so much effort to bring the wider women’s world to LDS women who, as you suggest, were largely farmers’ wives, to broaden their horizons and engage them in something more than eggs and cabbages — without neglecting the eggs and cabbages, that is.
Comment by Ardis E. Parshall — October 12, 2010 @ 10:59 am
While I am not particularly impressed with the language of this poem, the sentiment it expresses is remarkable for the Relief Society Magazine at the time. Holding out Amelia Earhart as a role model was perhaps controversial in an LDS magazine for women, but certainly reflected the country’s fascination with her. It would not be difficult to see how a farmer’s wife could take a break from chores, and get a vicarious thrill from reading this.
Comment by kevinf — October 12, 2010 @ 10:28 am
That’s one thing I love best about the Relief Society Magazine from this era, kevinf — there is so much effort to bring the wider women’s world to LDS women who, as you suggest, were largely farmers’ wives, to broaden their horizons and engage them in something more than eggs and cabbages — without neglecting the eggs and cabbages, that is.
Comment by Ardis E. Parshall — October 12, 2010 @ 10:59 am