July 6, 1995 - Episode 342 - Women of Achievement and Herstory On July 6, 1779, the Continental Congress voted "that Margaret Corbin, who was wounded and disabled in the attack on Fort Washington (1776), whilst she heroically filled the post of her husband who was killed by her side serving a piece of artillery, do receive, during her natural life, on the continuance of the said disability, the one-half of the monthly pay drawn by a soldier in the service of these states; and that she now receive out of the pubic store, one complete suit of clothes, or the value thereof in money (later amended to a new outfit every year." As a veteran she was also entitled to a liquor ration, but the military stores refused to issue it - because she was a women. She got the liquor ration after a lengthy campaign and with all the back liquor due her. She had been taken prisoner by the British after she was wounded. After her release she went to West Point to seek treatment for her battle wounds. Her home state of Pennsylvania gave her $30. She is buried at the West Point cemetery. 07-06 ................................................. B. July 6, 1847, Ellen Martin Henrotin, wealthy widow who used her money to make the 1893 Chicago World's Fair the national focal point for feminist activity. Her committee work resulted in public opinion being raised against child labor and unsafe working conditions. Forced closing of hundreds of the 600+ brothels in Chicago and brought about the downfall of the flourishing "White Slavery" trade in which women were forced into prostitution. B. July 6, 1847, Katherine Augusta Westcott Tingley headed the American Theosophy movement and created Point Loma in Southern California. B. July 6, 1866, Beatrix Potter, endearing English illustrator and illustrator, best known for _The Tale of Peter Rabbit_ (1902). B. July 6, 1915, LaVerne Andrew, the contralto of the immensely popular Andrew Sisters, who sold more than 60 million records in the 1930's and 1940's and are still being imitated today. Their most noted records were "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon" (1931), "Rum and Coca Cola" (1944) and "Don't Fence Me In" (1944). Made a number of Hollywood films. Patti was the lead singer (02-16-1920) and Maxene (01-03-1918) did high harmony. B. July 6, 1917, Dorothy Kirsten, American born soprano who sang with the Metropolitan Opera a record 30 years before retiring in 1975. B. July 6, 1921, Nancy Reagan, actor, second wife of President Ronald Reagan. Her burning ambition was pivotal in Reagan's political career. She was noted for extravagant clothes, a campaign against drug abuse, and her fiece protection of Reagan. Wrote _My Turn_ (1989). Event July 6, 1948, Frieda Barkin Hennock becomes the first woman member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). B. July 6, 1954, Louise Erdrich, writer, her best known novel is _Tracks_. Her mother Rita Joanne Gourneau was a Chippewa Indian and worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Quotes du jour ................................................ "...shall I stay unwed? That would please me, for making babies doesn't seem too good, and it's too anguishing to be a wife." --Alais, 12th Century, as translated in _The Women Troubadours_ by Meg Bodin, 1976. ................................................. To receive Women of Achievement and Herstory by email, write and in the body of the note . *The URLs to the most current weeks' worth of WOA are: http://worcester.lm.com/lmann/feminist/achievement.html *Or gopher to the archives at -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- >>(C) 1995 Irene Stuber, PO Box 6185, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71902, 501-624-5262 for direct fax or voice mail ID #300, irenestuber@delphi.com. Distribute verbatim copies freely with copyright notice for non-profit use. We are accepting *limited* donations (only what can be spared) to help offset the online costs of posting Women of Achievement and Herstory.