The Softer Side of International Women’s Day
By way of wikipedia, March 8 historically marks International Women’s Day, a global celebration of women’s various achievements. Originally a political event, it has been recently likened to a blending of Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day.
However, the United Nations remains firm in stressing the human rights implication and political bent of the day to promote awareness of women’s struggles around the world.
The list of women writers involved in American political, economic, and social injustice boasts a long list. One such giant from the earliest days is Lydia Maria Child. Though quite a prolific writer, Child is mostly remembered for her famous Thanksgiving poem, “Over the River, and Through the Wood.”
Child was one of the earliest American women to earn a living from her writing. She was known in her time as the writer of popular domestic advice books. She also turned to other topics, including a survey of the history of the world's religions and inspirational essays.
I remember conjecturing via research in a grad paper that Emily Dickinson probably read Child’s essays in the magazines her piano teacher left her and her sister on the sly under the piano seat to keep the knowledge secret from their father. I am convinced that Dickinson was inspired by Child’s more global tolerance, perhaps inspiring some of Dickinson’s broader insights.
Child was a women's rights activist, but did not believe significant progress for women could be made until after the abolition of slavery. She believed that white women and slaves were similar in that white men held both groups in subjugation and treated them as property instead of individual human beings. In several later books, both fictional and political, Child returned to issues of justice for Native Americans and African Americans.
Despite the fact that she worked towards equality for women, Child made her opinion known that she did not care for all-female societies. She believed that women would be able to achieve more by working alongside men.
Her most important contribution to history is probably The Appeal in Favor of That Class of Americans Called Africans, which argued for the immediate emancipation of the slaves without compensation to the slave holders, but her little poem about winter holidays in New England is far better known today.
As I write this piece, there is a mini-blizzard raging outside, ushering in March with its roaring reputation, but I understand that the day of this publication may include a hint of March’s more peaceful side, reminding us that Spring can not be far off. Until then, let us use this March day to celebrate both the strength and the softness of women everywhere. But, for now, let’s reminisce with the softer side of an incredibly strong woman.
Over the river, and through the wood,
to Grandfather's house we go;
the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river, and through the wood,
to Grandfather's house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
for 'tis Thanksgiving Day.
Over the river, and through the wood-
oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose,
as over the ground we go.
Over the river, and through the wood
and straight through the barnyard gate.
We seem to go extremely slow-
it is so hard to wait!
Over the river, and through the wood-
when Grandmother sees us come,
She will say, "O, dear, the children are here,
bring a pie for every one."
Over the river, and through the wood-
now Grandmothers cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!
This song originally appeared as a poem in Flowers for Children, Vol. 2 in 1844.
Please send comments and your poetry to michaeljhoover@gmail.com. Archived columns can be found at hooverpoet.com or eveningsun.com.
By way of wikipedia, March 8 historically marks International Women’s Day, a global celebration of women’s various achievements. Originally a political event, it has been recently likened to a blending of Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day.
However, the United Nations remains firm in stressing the human rights implication and political bent of the day to promote awareness of women’s struggles around the world.
The list of women writers involved in American political, economic, and social injustice boasts a long list. One such giant from the earliest days is Lydia Maria Child. Though quite a prolific writer, Child is mostly remembered for her famous Thanksgiving poem, “Over the River, and Through the Wood.”
Child was one of the earliest American women to earn a living from her writing. She was known in her time as the writer of popular domestic advice books. She also turned to other topics, including a survey of the history of the world's religions and inspirational essays.
I remember conjecturing via research in a grad paper that Emily Dickinson probably read Child’s essays in the magazines her piano teacher left her and her sister on the sly under the piano seat to keep the knowledge secret from their father. I am convinced that Dickinson was inspired by Child’s more global tolerance, perhaps inspiring some of Dickinson’s broader insights.
Child was a women's rights activist, but did not believe significant progress for women could be made until after the abolition of slavery. She believed that white women and slaves were similar in that white men held both groups in subjugation and treated them as property instead of individual human beings. In several later books, both fictional and political, Child returned to issues of justice for Native Americans and African Americans.
Despite the fact that she worked towards equality for women, Child made her opinion known that she did not care for all-female societies. She believed that women would be able to achieve more by working alongside men.
Her most important contribution to history is probably The Appeal in Favor of That Class of Americans Called Africans, which argued for the immediate emancipation of the slaves without compensation to the slave holders, but her little poem about winter holidays in New England is far better known today.
As I write this piece, there is a mini-blizzard raging outside, ushering in March with its roaring reputation, but I understand that the day of this publication may include a hint of March’s more peaceful side, reminding us that Spring can not be far off. Until then, let us use this March day to celebrate both the strength and the softness of women everywhere. But, for now, let’s reminisce with the softer side of an incredibly strong woman.
Over the river, and through the wood,
to Grandfather's house we go;
the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river, and through the wood,
to Grandfather's house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
for 'tis Thanksgiving Day.
Over the river, and through the wood-
oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose,
as over the ground we go.
Over the river, and through the wood
and straight through the barnyard gate.
We seem to go extremely slow-
it is so hard to wait!
Over the river, and through the wood-
when Grandmother sees us come,
She will say, "O, dear, the children are here,
bring a pie for every one."
Over the river, and through the wood-
now Grandmothers cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!
This song originally appeared as a poem in Flowers for Children, Vol. 2 in 1844.
Please send comments and your poetry to michaeljhoover@gmail.com. Archived columns can be found at hooverpoet.com or eveningsun.com.