On Monday, I had the privilege of sharing stories about our mothers with ten women I've known through my writing circles, yoga, and teaching. Our mothers had names like Evangeline, Antoinette and Margery. They raised gaggles of children, cleaned house wearing spike heels, and had dinner ready for their husbands every evening. We said their names. We honored their struggles. We shared our own. I've heard from many more than could attend that the pain of unresolved questions about mother … [Read more...]
A Woman’s Century of Wisdom: Margery Binkerd Wells Steer
For the twelfth day of Women's History Month, I honor my maternal grandmother, Margery Binkerd Wells Steer. She was born on a farm in New Canaan Connecticut, August 29th, 1899. She died at her daughter's home in Merchantville, New Jersey on April 10, 1992. In her 92 years, she was fond of remarking how much change she had witnessed and participated in. She came of age as women won the right to vote. She … [Read more...]
Day 11 of Women’s History Month: Dear Abby Still Rules!
It's hard to follow yesterday's Facebook tribute to Susan Bass Levin, esteemed former mayor of Cherry Hill and all-around mover and shaker, but as I considered my teenage quest for wisdom, I thought of a source I assumed had become obsolete, the newspaper column, Dear Abby. With very little research, I found the online column alive and kicking. It's now written by Jeanne Phillips, daughter of the original advice columnist, Pauline Esther … [Read more...]