Proclaimherrose Fitzgerald Kennedy Trail • Boston Women & the Law

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Featured inside: BWHT 20th Anniversary • March Calendar • Boston’s First Ladies of Music • Plans for Margaret Fuller Bicentennial • ProclaimHerRose Fitzgerald Kennedy Trail • Boston Women & The Law

Newsletter of the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail (BWHT) — Winter 2009 — www.bwht.org Looking Back at 20 Years

On March 22, 2003, a group of 35 History and English teachers from around the United States took a BWHT tour to learn about and to connect the lives In March 1990, hundreds of Boston Public School of Boston women with our nation’s history, achievements, and struggles. students climbed the steps of the Massachusetts State House to celebrate the opening of BWHT.

In 2001, BWHT held its first women’s history art contest. Over twenty students from Boston schools participated. In 2003 the Trail sponsored another women’s history art contest; nearly 500 students sub- During the fall of 2000, Agassiz Elementary School fifth mitted entries. grade students in Maria Harvey’s class learned about women in Jamaica Plain history from the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail walk through “JP.”

Sculptor Meredith Bergmann spoke at the October 25, 2003 dedication of the Boston Women’s Memorial, where On June 25, 2005, a day of record- Abigail Adams, Phillis breaking heat in Boston, BWHT cel- Wheatley, and Lucy Stone are ebrated the opening of its sixteenth “Stepping Back” – Trotter School students honored in a bronze monumen- trail in 16 years with an inaugural sport their new Roxbury Women’s History tal sculpture on the Common- guided walk of the new South End Trail baseball caps in the spring of 1998. wealth Avenue Mall. Women’s Heritage Trail. ProclaimHer BWHT Celebrates its 20th Anniversary is published by the ometime in the late 1980s, a young its, and led customized guided tours for con- Boston Women’s Heritage Trail girl was on a class trip walking ference attendees, groups desiring to create c/o Boston Educational S Boston’s famed Freedom Trail. The trails, and student groups. For ten years, Development Foundation girl perhaps influenced by her mother’s femi- BWHT sponsored the Perseverance Essay th 26 Court St. nist persuasion and observant of the person- Contest for 8 grade BPS students. This year Boston, MA 02108 alities described on the Trail, asked, “Where the BWHT will provide a Summer Institute th www.bwht.org are the women?” Indeed, where were the for 5 grade BPS teachers to conduct class- 617-364-2449 women? They were right there in front of room projects and take class trips to the our faces. Inspired by the child’s question, a Adam’s National Historic Park, the home of group of Boston Public School teachers, li- two presidents and one of the first ladies, Board of Directors brarians, and other educators constructed a Abigail Adams. Officers list of hundreds of women with Boston roots BWHT has collaborated with many organi- President Sylvia McDowell or connections who had made contributions zations, with its most significant collabora- Vice-President Susan Goganian to society by virtue of their careers or volun- Secretary Michelle Jenney tion in the planning and creation of the Bos- teer work but had never been recognized. Treasurer Gretchen O’Neill ton Women’s Memorial (BWM), erected on Thus was the genesis of the Boston Women’s the last plot of exhibition land on the Com- Members Heritage Trail. During the fall of 1989, a monwealth Mall and dedicated in 2003. Prior Liane Curtis founding group, which included Meg to the installation of the BWM, seven statues Maria D’Itria Campbell, Charlotte Harris, Polly Kaufman, of men stood in that corridor, and four Katherine Dibble and Diana Lam, met at the Old South Meet- women sculptors represented women and a Kirstin Gamble-Bridier ing House to develop a mission statement monument graced by allegorical female fig- Barbara Locurto and a set of bylaws for the organization. With ures. As part of its involvement with creat- Susan Mortensen a grant from the Women’s Educational Eq- ing the Memorial, BWHT created a curricu- Marilyn Richardson uity Act the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail lum related to the three figures of the Me- Mary Rudder Jane Skelton was formed with its own all-volunteer board morial, Abigail Adams, Lucy Stone, and Phillis Doryce Smith of directors. Wheatley. Since its installation, the Memo- rial has been the focal point of several work- Mary Smoyer Their initial decision was to determine that Marie A. Turley shops and guided tours for students of the there would be walking tours patterned on BPS. Alma Wright the model of the established Freedom Trail. Rather than one extensive trail, however, Through access to the website Advisory Board walking tours of each of Boston’s neighbor- www.bwht.org, the Trail has served as an in- Meg Campbell hoods were devised. Designed to be self- formation center drawing requests for assis- Julie Crockford guided, a printed guide annotated by brief tance in tracing family history, networking, Barbara Clark Elam Carol Geyer notes on the contribution of each woman was and academic research. The website has gen- Jean Gibran developed. Initially four communities were erated suggestions of new women to be in- rd Charlotte Harris programmed. In today’s 3 revised edition, cluded and collaborations with other histori- Erica Hirschler 8 neighborhoods: Downtown, North End, cal associations in mutual enhancements of Vera Johnson Beacon Hill, South Cove/Chinatown, Back programs. Bay East and West, and South End are de- Polly Kaufman This year BWHT will be celebrating its 20th Diana Lam scribed in the book. In addition, the work of anniversary with a series of programs pre- Joyce Stevens BWHT has led to the development of 5 local sented in collaboration with other organiza- Stephanie Wong-Fan trails designed by BPS students: Charlestown, tions. A calendar of events is printed else- Susan Wilson Lower Roxbury, Roxbury, South End, and where in this issue. The initial program is West Roxbury. BWHT has also influenced the one on the arts being presented at the Bos- creation of specific as well as thematic trails ton Museum of Fine Arts on March 4th. We in Boston, Bozeman, Montana and Oslo, hope to see you there. Norway. Members of the Board of the Boston Over the past 20 years, in order to infuse the Women’s Heritage Trail are excited about its lives of Boston’s women into the Boston Pub- history and activities as an all volunteer as- lic Schools, BWHT has held workshops and The Boston Women’s Heritage Trail is a non- sociation and look forward to your atten- institutes for teacher training focused on in- profit organization founded in 1989 as a pro- dance at the wonderful array of program- gram of the Boston Public Schools. Through corporating women into the curriculum. ming planned in celebration. ■ educational programs, publications, and out- Sponsored competitive activities for middle reach initiatives, the BWHT is dedicated to and high school students with classroom vis- by President Sylvia McDowell weaving the lives and work of women back into the story of the City of Boston. BWHT is going “green” ! This is the last hard copy “ProclaimHer”; BWHT is We are available for research assistance, speak- ing engagements, and to collaborate on pro- shifting to E-newsletters. Not only is this better for the environment, it is also a grams and projects. great way to reach more readers and supporters. Editor: Sue Mortensen To make sure you stay aware of Trail activities and receive our newsletter, please Logo by Ginny O’Neil SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS to [email protected] TODAY!

2 - ProclaimHer - Winter 2009 ✁ Boston Women’s Heritage Trail Is 20 Years Old hroughout March 2009 the Bos- History Month, celebratory events will Board President Sylvia McDowell has an- ton Women’s Heritage Trail include lectures, presentations, and spe- nounced “many of our past and present T (BWHT) will celebrate its first cial guided Trail walks. The kick-off event Board members will be participating in two decades by sponsoring and co-spon- on March 4, at the Museum of Fine Arts, the Trail’s activities as speakers, panel- soring an outstanding series of programs features Advisory Board member Erica ists, or conveners, and they are excited and events. Hirshler leading a stellar group of art- about sharing their experiences as they ists, curators and educators in a discus- have witnessed the Trail’s growth and Since 1989, through tours, educational sion of women’s role in the arts. importance since 1989.” programs, and a rich variety of informa- tive and entertaining activities, the BWHT Later in the year, the Trail is conducting Following is a schedule of events planned has uncovered and affirmed the vital role a Summer Institute for Fifth Grade thus far. Events will be described in detail of women in Boston’s history from the Teachers in the Boston Public Schools. on the Trail’s website, www.bwht.org ■ colonial era to the present. The photo-filled BWHT Trail Guide tells We’re Celebrating Women’s History Month stories of courage, adventure, enterprise, MARCH 4 – Wednesday, 7:00 PM gesting that few could have succeeded in dedication, and triumph against the odds. Museum of Fine Arts Boston – an art world defined and dominated by Remis Auditorium men. Today, the history of art is being re- The Guidebook offers seven self-guided A Studio of Her Own: New Perspectives written to include women’s contributions, walks throughout Boston neighborhoods. Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, artist; often by redefining the very boundaries of History comes alive in the stories of more Deborah H. Dluhy, dean, School of the Mu- art. Join Erica Hirshler, Deborah H. Dluhy, than 200 Boston women – poets, essayists, seum of Fine Arts, Boston; Erica Hirshler, and two contemporary artists for a lively Croll Senior Curator of Paintings, Art of the discussion of women artists, past and suffragists, abolitionists, spiritual leaders, Americas, author and curator of A Studio present. scientists, artists, and social reformers – of Her Own; and Mary Ellen Strom, artist $15 for members, $18 for non-members who shaped four centuries of the city’s life. Scholar Linda Nochlin once asked why www.mfa.org During March, International Women’s there had been no great women artists, sug- Continued next page BOSTON WOMEN’S HERITAGE TRAIL 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION EVENTS – MARCH 2009 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 12345 6 7 A Studio of Her Own: The Long Road to 12th Annual Intern’l New Perspectives Suffrage: Boston Women’s Day: Who 7:00 pm, Museum of Women's Legal Owns Your Food and Fine Arts, Boston History Water – Globally and 12:15 pm, Old South Locally Meeting House 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Women Against The Vote: The Anti- Suffragists 12:15 pm, Old South Meeting House

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 In Her Own Words: Susan B. Anthony 12:15 pm, Old South Meeting House

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Focus on Women at Boston Women and Discover Women of the Boston Public School Suffrage Roxbury Trolley Tour Library, 2:30 pm, 12:15 pm, Old South 10am-Noon Boston Public Meeting House From Symphonies to Library Suffrage: Virginia Eskin Concert 2:30 pm BPL 29 30 31 Music By Women of the Americas from Three Centuries 3:00 pm Brandeis University

✁ ProclaimHer - Winter 2009 - 3 ✁ Celebrating Women’s History Month continued from previous page MARCH 5 MARCH 19 www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org/ Thursday, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM Thursday, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM default.aspx Old South Meeting House Old South Meeting House The Long Road to Suffrage: In Her Own Words: MARCH 28 Boston Women’s Legal History Susan B. Anthony Saturday, 10:00 am – Noon Women’s struggles to achieve legal rights Listen to the stories of activist Susan B. Roxbury Women’s History, trolley tour and participate fully as voters, attorneys, Anthony as portrayed by Sally Matson. Dr. Marie Zakrzewska, Susan Dimock, and judges is a centuries-long story that A Massachusetts native, Anthony spent Melnea Cass, Muriel Snowden, Elma Lewis, is still playing out today. Join local his- years fighting for suffrage, temperance, and other women made important contri- torian and former director of The Bos- and abolition. Her travels and her inter- butions to the neighborhood, Boston, and ton Women’s Heritage Trail Bonnie Hurd actions with legislators, activists, and American society. Explore their histories and Smith for a fascinating look at four cen- newspapermen confirm her reputation as see their legacies on a fascinating tour led by turies of women’s legal history in Bos- the foremost leader of the women suffrage members of the Boston Women’s Heritage ton. movement. Anthony’s perseverance kept Trail. Trolley departs Back Bay Station at 9:30 $5, Free for members the movement alive and her final words, am (Dartmouth St. exit) and Roxbury Heri- “Failure is impossible,” have encouraged tage State Park at 9:45 AM. www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org generations working for equal rights. $10 – Limited to 30. Reservations required, $5, Free for members enrollment ends March 26. MARCH 6 www.discoverroxbury.org Friday, 7:30 am – 9:30 am www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org/ Simmons College, Linda K. Paresky default.aspx MARCH 28 Conference Center MARCH 22 Saturday, 2:30 PM 12th Annual International Women’s Day: Sunday, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM From Symphonies to Suffrage: Who Owns Your Food and Water – Boston Public Library, Music of Amy Beach’s Boston Globally and Locally Dartmouth Street Entrance Virginia Eskin, piano and Jayne West, so- [email protected] Focus on Women at the Boston Public Li- prano, in a concert to honor the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail. MARCH 12 brary, a tour of Right and Wrong in Boston, an exhibit which focuses on the women of Rabb Lecture Hall Thursday, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM Boston Public Library, Copley Square Old South Meeting House the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society and their city, Boston – with librarian and cura- 700 Boylston Street Women Against The Vote: For more info call the BPL Music Dept. at The Anti-Suffragists tor Roberta Zonghi and a tour of the li- braries’ art that relates to women where 617-859-228. Rallying around narrow definitions of Concert is free of charge and open to the “true” womanhood, common decency, and BWHT Board member Michelle Jenney and BPL art and architecture tour guide asks public. Rabb Lecture Hall is wheelchair ac- the responsibilities of motherhood, some cessible. Assistive listening devices are women were vocal opponents of female what is right and wrong about the way women are represented at the Boston Pub- available. To request a sign language inter- suffrage in the United States. Join Jayne preter or for help with other special needs, Gordon and Kathleen Barker of the Mas- lic Library. Free call (617) 536-5400, ext. 2295 or (617) sachusetts Historical Society and Aliza 536-7055 (TTY) at least two weeks before Saivetz of Old South Meeting House to MARCH 26 the program date. explore the anti-suffrage the Massachusetts Thursday, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM Historical Society. Old South Meeting House MARCH 29 $5, Free for members Boston Women and School Suffrage Sunday, 3:00 PM www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org/ When women were granted the right to Women’s Studies Research Center, Epstein default.aspx vote in school committee Building, Brandeis University elections, some advocates Music By Women of the Americas from believed it was an “enter- Three Centuries performed by the Lydian ing wedge” that would String Quartet. With music by Teresa Carreo soon lead to full suffrage (Venezuelan, late 19th century), Florence rights. Professor Polly Price (African-American, mid-20th c.), Ruth Kaufman, who serves on Lomon and Beth Denisch (late 20th c.) and the Board of the Boston a new piece by Cuban composer Magaly Ruiz Women’s Heritage Trail, Lastres. BWHT Board member Liane Curtis explains how Boston organized concert. Tickets required, but no women suffrage leaders charge to Brandeis community or BWHT worked to keep the goal members, $10 for other students and $15 of achieving full suffrage for all others. Call 617-776-1809 or email in the forefront, despite [email protected] to reserve tickets. ■ the controversies that de- English High School students explore Women’s History Month veloped among women We’re switching to E-newsletters; exhibits. On these panels, the history of women in the arts, based on societal and eth- send your email address to us media, and the military was illustrated along with pictures of nic differences. today – [email protected] students attending various field trips. $5, Free for members

4 - ProclaimHer - Winter 2009 ✁ Remembering Boston’s First Ladies of Music By Jean Gibran VE: Oh boy! My colleagues kidded me that Beach couldn’t be any good – otherwise they n the summer of 1989, I learned that would’ve heard of her; or they’d make Son of the just established Boston Women’s a Beach comments. But I kept looking for Heritage Trail (BWHT) had accepted I folks who recalled her coterie. my grant application. Thrilled to join colleagues in restoring women leaders to their I was happy to locate Beach’s grave memo- rightful places, I shared my enthusiasm with rial at Boston’s Forest Hills cemetery. I also South End neighbor Virginia Eskin. The San discovered a monumental head of Beach Diego native and talented concert pianist had sculpted by Bashka Paeff [Boston artist 1893- been rediscovering and performing the mu- 1979 whose Boston Public Gardens sculp- sic of Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (1867- ture Boy and Bird is on Back Bay Walk East 1944). With news of a trail, we agreed that – (BBE2)]. Fortunately, Kahlil (sculptor the long neglected composer would top my Kahlil Gibran 1922-2008) and I were able Pianist Virginia Eskin with Boston Globe critic nominee list. to visit Paeff in her Cambridge home, and I Richard Dyer at dedication of Amy Beach learned valuable insights about the composer. Now, two decades later, BWHT has been in- plaque. stitutionalized, and Eskin is recognized for David Buxbaum, whose mother Lillian was conductor Keith Lockhart announced the ad- making substantial contributions to the world Beach’s favorite soprano, gave me boxes of dition of Amy Beach’s name carved on the of music. In mid-January 2009, I talked with letters, autographs, photographs, music, and Esplanade Shell’s granite wall. my friend Ginny about her amazing career. monographs related to that period. Explor- The following documents how BWHT ing Beach’s connections with the MacDowell VE: Musicologist Liane Curtis, BWHT mem- worked with her to introduce Amy Beach to Colony was also very rewarding. bers, Tony Norton, and leaders in Boston’s Boston students and teachers, and how far we’ve music community spearheaded that joint ef- JG: What happened to all the material? come in recognizing women composers. fort. Lockhart’s willingness to program her VE: I donated everything to the Beach music combined to make it happen. To this JG: Historian Polly Kaufman requested trail Archive that musicologist and biographer day Beach still is the lone woman composer nominations at an early BWHT workshop, Walter S, Jenkins and I founded at the on the Hatch Shell. and I suggested Amy Beach. Most everyone Durham campus of University of New Hamp- JG: The November 2008 issue of Fanfare drew a blank. When did you realize that this shire. It was the right decision since Beach composer needed reviving? features your recently released Koch CD was born and spent her early years in that Kapralova April Preludes. Legend. Reviewer VE: The Newport Music Festival hired me state. Paul Snook describes you as the enterprising to perform Beach’s Balkan Variations for Two JG: You wrote about Beach for Biographies American pianist Virginia Eskin, who has re- Pianos in 1972. This prompted me to con- of Twenty Notable Boston Women A Cur- corded a measure of unusual repertoire. That tinue wading into the oeuvre, and I was stag- riculum Resource edited by BWHT President well-deserved description applies also to your gered by its richness. Even though her music Mary Smoyer. You also visited schools and radio series First Ladies of Music. was difficult and sometimes impossible to ob- performed for BPS students. tain, I persevered. VG: It’s no longer allowed to exclude women VE: Children really respond to music. Once composers from programs, but the public is Soon, I was performing chamber music with Beach was in the public presence, I widened fuzzy on details. First Ladies of Music at- Boston Symphony Orchestra members in- the net to include Marion Bauer and Ruth tempted to bookend 1,000 years of women cluding my then husband cellist Jules Eskin Crawford. I also played rags by women com- composers. It received a Clarion Award – and violinist Joseph Silverstein. In 1974, The posers and introduced students to Florence given to women in media – and was distrib- Gardner Museum put on a month of Mostly Price the African American composer who uted by NPR to 170 stations. We’re planning Beach, and I was able to convince Joey to graduated from New England Conservatory. a sequel that will feature performers, conduc- perform Beach’s arduous violin works. These tors and patrons like Isabella Stewart Gardner performances began to garner rave reviews JG: And then there was the Sunday Musical (Featured on Back Bay Walk East at the site and restore Beach to her rightful place. ~ Virginia Eskin and Friends held at your of her home 150-152 Beacon Street – BBE home one Sunday afternoon in March 1990. 13). JG: The discography shows that although VE : Getting the BWHT established was a Beach enjoyed acclaim till her death in 1944, JG: Now we’ve come full circle. On Satur- big moment. That day several of my musical after that, recording performers mostly ig- day afternoon, March 28, you’ll perform at colleagues performed. Another exciting event nored her. When did you first record her? the Boston Public Library’s Rabb Lecture for BWHT members was the dedication on Hall to celebrate BWHT’s twentieth anni- October 29, 1994 of the Amy Beach plaque VE: I made the first recording of Beach’s pi- versary. What do you have in store? ano music in 1969 for the Genesis label. Pia- installed at 28 Commonwealth Avenue site nist Mary Louise Boehm recorded her Piano of the composer’s Back Bay mansion. (Fea- VG: I plan to honor Boston women of mu- Quintet 2 years earlier. By 1978, I was lucky tured in BWHT Back Bay East Walk – BBE2). sic. Of course we’ll feature Beach, but they’ll enough to engineer recordings at Northeast- Loads of Beach fans and BWHT members be surprises, including some Ragtime. And ern Records and continued to introduce her attended the unveiling of Kahlil’s bas-relief we’ll end with everyone singing The Suffrag- chamber works and songs. We were at the portrait. We celebrated with champagne, and ette Marching Song. right place at the right time! attending Boston Globe critic Richard Dyer wrote about it. JG: We can hardly wait. Thanks, Ginny, for JG : Your quest to learn about Beach was all you’ve done to advance women in music full of adventures. JG: Also memorable was July 8, 2000 when and for being a major BWHT player. ■

ProclaimHer - Winter 2009 - 5 Mary Smoyer Honored by Boston History & Innovation Collaborative

ary Howland Smoyer, a leader Twenty years ago, Mary and a coalition of book. She has been editor of the newslet- of the Boston Women’s Heritage teachers, librarians, historians, children de- ter “ProclaimHer” and has helped develop Trail (BWHT) and the immedi- veloped a list of women who needed to be curriculum guides and the presentation of M recognized, and in collaboration with Bos- workshops for teachers. Her primary fo- ate past president of its board of directors, was presented a Special History & Inno- ton Public School students created the Bos- cus remains identifying unrecognized vation Lifetime Achievement Award by the ton Women’s Heritage Trail. Mary con- women and creating trails, which docu- Boston History & Innovation Collabora- tinues to be actively involved in programs ment their contributions. Most signifi- tive (BHIC) at its annual dinner in Novem- of the BWHT. cantly, Mary has provided leadership for BWHT’s all volunteer board since the in- ber 2008. This award, only the second ever Mary has assisted the development of the ception of BWHT. given by the Collaborative, was presented primary instrument of the trail – 7 self- by executive director Dr. Robert M. Krim guided walking tours – and the editing of for Mary’s continuing commitment to rais- The Collaborative brings together leaders the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail book, from Boston’s historical, business, scien- ing awareness of the value of untold con- which is in its 4th incarnation, having tributions of Boston’s women to their im- tific, and legal communities to develop evolved from a photocopied stapled ver- public history projects that may aid the mediate communities and to international sion to a recently published 3rd edition achievements. region’s economy. BHIC’s dinner brings together representatives from this extensive network. The work of BWHT encom- passes women in all of these communities. This year, the other women recognized at the annual awards dinner were Dr. Maria Zakrzewska and Dr. Susan Dimock, post- humous recipients of the 2008 History & Innovation Award for Innovation in Healthcare. These doctors are also subjects in the BWHT guidebook. The event was a true introduction of BWHT to a greater public awareness.

The BWHT Board members are extremely At table: Sue Goganian, Gretchen O’Neill, Alma Wright, Barbara Locurto; from left to proud of Mary’s recognition of achieve- right: Bonnie Hurd Smith, Michelle Jenney, Sue Mortensen, Mary Smoyer, Susan Wilson, ment and with her permission, they share Jean Gibran, Stephanie Wong-Fan, Sara Masucci, Marie Turley, Liane Curtis, Sylvia her acceptance of her Lifetime Achieve- McDowell. ( Photo by Meghan Moore) ment Award. ■ Summer Institute for BPS 5th Grade Teachers Celebrating Boston Women’s Journeys & Stories Beyond March July 7 - 9, 2009 d Tuesday - Thursday d 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM

The Boston Women’s Heritage Trail (BWHT), as part of its 20th • Enjoy a year of Membership in Boston Women’s Heritage Anniversary Celebration, will conduct a 3 day Summer Institute Trail for BPS 5th Grade Teachers in collaboration with the Old South • Plan a Fall Classroom Project that will apply their summer Meeting House. Based on a successful institute in 2005 that experience to involve more than 700 5th Grade students in focused on the Boston Women’s Memorial, the 2009 version will recognizing the role of women in the history of our nation take 25 5th Grade Teachers on a journey to Boston historic sites where they will learn about amazing women, including Abigail BWHT will provide support for each Fall Classroom Project, Adams, Lucy Stone, Harriet Tubman, Phillis Wheatley, and many including: more whose contributions helped shape Boston and our nation. • Class Trip to Adams National Historic Park (home of Abigail Adams and 2 US Presidents), Boston Women’s Memorial, Participating teachers will: and Harriet Tubman Square • Use, as their text, the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail Seven • Classroom visit by a Board Member of the Boston Women’s Self-guided Walks Through Four Centuries of Boston Heritage Trail Women’s History (Guidebook, Maps, and Walks) • Biographies, illustrations, and other materials for students to • Engage in workshops and presentations by BWHT Board research, write stories, publish booklets, create posters, build Members displays, make presentations to parents and other students, •Visit/tour historic sites including the Black Heritage Trail, or a host of other possible activities that teachers and Boston Women’s Memorial (sculpture of Abigail Adams, students may plan to celebrate women Beyond March, not Lucy Stone, and Phillis Wheatley on the Commonwealth just during Women’s History Month Ave Mall), Faneuil Hall, Harriet Tubman Square (site of the Step on Board sculpture of the famed ‘Underground The institute is free for participating teachers. Railroad Conductor’), and the Old South Meeting House (site of the 1989 announcement of BWHT’s beginning) Registration information will be available early in April 2009 at • Review primary source documents and their classroom BWHT applications http://bwht.org

6 - ProclaimHer - Winter 2009 Plans for Margaret Fuller Bicentennial Underway Committees in Massachusetts and New York tury, one of the first works written about have already started meeting to organize a women’s role in society from a woman’s celebration of Margaret Fuller’s life, work, perspective, is permeated with the Transcen- Margaret Fuller and legacy during the bicentennial year of dentalist values of independence, self-reli- (1810 –1850) her birth in 2010. Plans include a website ance, and social reform. What Emerson was was a (www.margaretfuller.org), an online commu- doing for men, Fuller was doing for women. pioneering nity, traveling exhibit, publications, tours, feminist, and public programs (“Conversations”) in the Many scholars view Fuller as the most bril- intellectual Boston/Cambridge/Concord areas and New liant woman in America in the early nine- and journalist. York City. To participate on the committee, teenth century. She certainly should be re- please contact co-chairs Rev. Dorothy membered as one of the earliest pioneers for Emerson ([email protected]) or Faith women’s rights who laid the groundwork for Ferguson ([email protected]). the women’s rights movement in the United States. Radical and controversial in her day • First woman war correspondent to serve Margaret Fuller (1810-50) was born into a and age, her work and life story serve as in- under combat conditions Boston-area Unitarian family. She was promi- spiration to men and women today. Her • First woman journalist on Horace nent among several women who played an ground-breaking accomplishments include: Greeley’s New York Daily Tribune important role in establishing Transcenden- • Among the first women foreign corre- talism in American thought, and participated •First American to write a book about spondents fully along side pioneering thinkers like equality for women (Judith Sargent Murray, •First woman literary critic who also set Ralph Waldo Emerson in charting a new path who is also featured on the Boston Women’s literary standards from the older Unitarian perspectives. Heritage Trail, published the first essay on •First editor of the Transcendentalist Dial Fuller’s book Woman in the Nineteenth Cen- the subject in 1790) magazine •First to organize paid “Conversations” for women Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Trail Coming Soon •First woman to step foot inside Harvard College’s library On October 4 the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy officially opened the Fuller’s life was tragically cut short at the age Greenway with a spectacular day of festivities. of forty when the ship she was sailing on BWHT led four tours, two on the Women of the from Italy to New York with her husband North End and two on Rose Kennedy herself. The and baby capsized. Fuller’s body was never Kennedy trail designed by Alexandra Lee, Direc- recovered, but she is remembered at Mount tor of Public Programs at the Conservancy, with Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge with an BWHT assistance, takes you to Kennedy’s birth- impressive cenotaph. place, the church which was the site of her baptism and her funeral service, and the Rose Kennedy rose On the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail, garden, as well as the Mother’s Walk where families Margaret Fuller, a native of Cambridge, is can honor their mothers, caregivers and mentors with remembered at 25 West Street – the site of a paver. The Trail is now in final development and Elizabeth Peabody’s book store where Fuller will be complemented by a curriculum developed for held her famous “Conversations” with women third grade audiences. For more information go to about important topics of the day. ■ www.rosekennedygreenway.org. ■ Submitted by Bonnie Hurd Smith Margaret Fuller Bicentennial Committee Become a Member and Support the Trail! I/we would like to join as: ❏ an individual ❏ family ❏ organization and become part of the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail’s future. I/we would like to join at the following level: ❏ $25 Friend ❏ $50 Associate ❏ $100 Partner ❏ $250 Sustaining Member ❏ $500 Leadership Circle Members receive recognition in the ProclaimHer, the BWHT newsletter; free admission to BWHT Name events and programs; discounts on the Guidebook and other BWHT Organization (if applicable) products. Please make your check payable to Address the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail and mail to BWHT: City State Zip c/o Boston Educational Development Foundation 26 Court St., Boston, MA 02108 Telephone Email

ProclaimHer - Winter 2009 - 7 Boston Women’s Heritage Trail c/o Boston Educational Development Foundation 26 Court Street Boston, MA 02108 www. bwht. We’ve been working org on our web site! Check it out: www.bwht.org.

Blazing A New Trail: Boston Women & The Law Trail walkers and armchair readers alike women in the law are recent that it was take note: there is a new trail in town: Bos- impossible to follow that model.” ton Women & The Law. Bonnie Hurd “And I suppose that’s my ‘take-away’ from Smith, designer of Boston Women’s Heri- writing this book,” Smith continues. “These tage Trail (BWHT) guidebook and former courageous stories, past and recent, are a director of BWHT, wrote and designed this reminder that this country is still on the jour- 70-page illustrated, indexed book. The ney from intolerance and exclusion to full hour-long walking tour is filled with sto- equality for women. We are not there yet.” ries of women orators, petitioners, community organizers, essayists, poets, educators, Smith was inspired to propose this walking law students, attorneys, judges and politi- trail for New England Law ❘ Boston because cal figures. There is a positive treasure trove her great aunt and namesake, Marjorie Hurd, of information behind its bright purple a resident of Salem and Cambridge, studied cover! at Portia Law School and became the first female attorney for the Boston Legal Aid The Trail was written to help celebrate one Society (today’s Greater Boston Legal Ser- hundred years of New England Law/Bos- vices). When woman suffrage was achieved ton. The law school began in 1908 as Portia in 1920, Marjorie Hurd registered to vote, School of Law when two women asked At- became active in the League of Women Vot- torney Arthur McClean to tutor them for ers, and passed on her respect for the law to the Massachusetts bar examination. It was her family. named after Portia, the character in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice who dis- To Order A Copy: guises herself as a lawyer. Boston Women & The Law: A Walking Trail through Four Centuries “This project was a real education for me,” Of Boston Women’s Legal History says Smith. “I was so fortunate to have New Cornerstone Books, 45 Lafayette Street, Sa- 70 pages; illustrated; indexed; $10.95 England Law ❘ Boston’s interest, enthusi- lem, MA; Salem Maritime National Historic asm, and support. And unlike other histori- Available at: Site Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, Sa- cal trails I have worked on that only in- Boston National Historic Park Visitor Cen- lem, MA; Hurd Smith Communications clude deceased women, so many ‘firsts’ for ter, 15 State Street, Boston; www.hurdsmith.com ■

The Updated & Expanded BWHT is going “green” and shifting to E-newsletters. This Version is Now Available! is better for the environment and a great way to reach more Boston Women’s readers and supporters.

Heritage Trail To make sure you stay aware The BWHT Guidebook, which includes self- of Trail activities and receive guided tours through Boston’s Downtown, our newsletter, please SEND Beacon Hill, Chinatown, North End, South YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS to End and Back Bay, is available at: [email protected] commonwealtheditions.com and at Boston bookstores and historic sites. TODAY!

8 - ProclaimHer - Winter 2009