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Uncovers the significant social, literary, and political contributions of thirty-one notable women of Oswego County, New York.
When called upon to name a noteworthy woman who lived in Oswego County, New York, most people would respond with Dr. Mary Walker, Elmina Spencer, or Malvina Guimaraes. And they would be correct: these three women played a prominent role in the county's nineteenth century history. Yet, they were not the only ones. Many others whose names are less well known accomplished much within the legal and cultural constraints of contemporary society, including writer Julia McNair Wright, artist Mary Austen Oliver, and playwright Lottie Blair Parker. Whether fighting to end slavery or for the right to vote, running for political office, or seeking reforms in women's place in society, the thirty-one women detailed in this book made a lasting impact in Oswego County and their country. Today's professional women, lawyers, doctors, judges, professors, and bankers stand on the shoulders of these pioneering foremothers who refused to let prevailing societal norms stifle their creativity and ambition.
"The 31 biographical stories are meticulously researched and are rich in details from contemporary newspapers, diaries and letters. Woodall found fascinating and sometimes shocking tidbits about their personal lives and careers in newspapers, library archives and interviews with descendants. The text is generously illustrated with portraits, illustrations and photographs. This is an excellent resource, scholarly, with citations for every fact and quotation. It is a compelling read for those who want to fill gaps in their Oswego County historical knowledge or just satisfy their longing for great stories of strong women." — Oswego County News Now
"I could hardly put Noteworthy Women of Oswego County, New York down. In the book, Natalie Joy Woodall mentions the more well-known women of the county but concentrates on the women deserving of recognition for whom there is little, or nothing written. She did the thorough research that we in the history community have come to expect from her work. As with all of her previous books this will have a permanent home among my most trusted resources." — Debra Allen, Oswego County Historian
"Natalie Woodall's satisfyingly detailed biographies of remarkable women previously overlooked in Oswego County's past is a compelling read. Why have we never heard of these women? Their stories were often obscured because their work was attached to the men in their lives. In some cases, the author had a hard time even finding their Christian names; they were only 'Mrs. So-and-So.' The accomplishments of these amazing women are very powerful. Once you've met them, you will never forget them!" — Mary Kay Stone, President, Oswego County Historical Society
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Preface: Where Are All the Women?
Introduction: "Someone's Wife or Mother"
1. The Noteworthy Women of Oswego County, New York
Harriet Rundell
Ellen M. Bruce
Armonella Marshall Devendorf
Mary Victoria Lee, MD
Julia McNair Wright
Elvira Rainier, MD
Charlotte "Lottie" Blair Parker
Harriet Elisabeth Stevens
Emma Eunice Adams
Charlotte Lund
Lida Scovil Penfield
Una Clayton
The Sisters Taylor: Isabel, Grace, Harriette, and Jane
Those Mott Women: Ruth, Alice, Dorothy, and Bailey
Helen Gay Purviance
Grace E. Lynch
Muriel Leola Jobst Allerton
Virginia Louise Radley
2. Vignettes
Cora M. Ballister
Jessie Fairfield Gordon
Ida Louise Griffin Keating
Rhea Claire Wilder LaVeck
Semantha "Almira" Reynolds McLean
Mary Austen Oliver
Caroline E. Waugh
Notes
Bibliography
Index