Don't forget...

There are a few things I love about history. The first is that it is real people and real events that brought us to where we are. The second is it is always changing. Alright, changing isn’t the right word but I don't know what other word to use. We often think we know all we can know about history, (at least that is what they teach us in elementary school) but the truth is that evidence pops up every now and then that corrects our misconceptions about an event or people. Then there is the fact it is real life, from the lifestyle, the food, the clothing they wore and everything that put together a world.  Finally is that despite what we think it may be the past but it still effects the here and now, from inspiration in government, finance and home. Things I don’t like about informing people on this topic is the myths and misconceptions that everyone takes as truth when for a long time it has been proven untrue.

One of the biggest myths and misconceptions that drives me nuts is histories view on women. You know the weak, stupid and useless damsel in destress image. Now there are definitely a few women who have never fit the mold but it hasn’t helped the image anyways though it is starting too. Cleopatra, Godiva, Queen Elizabeth I and II, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and so many more. These were strong women who made their mark on history but what about those who didn’t. We are learning more about them too. Images of medieval women working in men’s labors alongside men or even seemingly on their own. Records of women who took over their husbands business after their deaths. A recent relook at bones of Viking warriors were found that the armor did not make them men (like the original scientist thought) but in fact at least half of the bodies were women who clearly did some fighting. Some cultures that were thought to be patriarchal societies are proving to be equal, or matriarchal societies. Most of these like many Native American Tribes were seen as patriarchal because of a patriarchal society (the English) trying to make sense of what they found.

A women’s life was difficult and often oppressed but images such as these may hint that some women worked outside the strict lines of their gender. This image is from 15th century Italy.

Then there are the images of women couldn’t make it on their own. The term spinster comes from the women who did. Many women who never married or became widows took up spinning to help take of themselves and the term spinster was given to them. Many knitted or sewed to keep a roof over their head. For those that lost their husbands, like I said some took over the business. In The Return of Martin DeGerre, a book based on court records from a family in France gives an amazing look at not only a peasant family but a women’s lot. When a women’s husband is sent to war she continues to work alongside her family on the farm. (This is also about how she got duped by a stranger who claims to be her husband, which is why there is a court record.) And Queen Elizabeth served very well unmarried.

Women carding, combing, spinning and weaving wool in the 15th century.

Women are strong, brave and just as important to look at. A commercial for Dwight D. Eisenhower talked about how housewives were the backbone of America. They fed the family, made sure the children were cared for, managed the household finances and helped to educate the children for the future (the commercial’s words not mine). Women are as much the reason why our culture and our world is the way it is. So no matter how much we can be a pain in the rear and how many other problems we may have cause (Troy anyone) we are as important to remember when looking at history.   

Women worked full time and made up a majority of the work force during World War II. Many feeling independent for the first time pushed to give women the right to work. Until then it wasn't a common sight and the concept is still less than 100 years old. Before this it was extremely rare for women to pursue their own careers.