Our Founding Mothers

© 2014 Universal Uclick Making History from The Mini Page © 2014 Universal Uclick Our Founding Mothers You probably learn a lot in school about our country’s Founding Fathers  Martha Washington  — George Washington, Benjamin Many soldiers during the A brave example Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and others Revolutionary War might have thought — the men who helped the United Martha bravely offered to take a of Martha Washington as their own vaccine against smallpox, a disease States become a country separate from mother. Before he was president, her Britain in the 1700s. that was killing many soldiers. Her husband, George Washington, was the example helped Washington’s troops But what about the women who general of the supported those men — the wives, obey their Continental general’s order daughters, mothers and friends who Army. The made history in their own way? that they take war lasted the vaccination This week, to eight long celebrate Mother’s Day too. years, and During the coming up on May 11, the winters The Mini Page talks summers were at home at with Cokie Roberts, particularly author of “Founding Mount Vernon, hard for in Virginia, Mothers: Remembering photo courtesy National Archives the troops. the Ladies,” to find out Cokie Roberts Martha would Weather and oversee the more about these extraordinary women. disease made illustration by Diane Goode from “Founding Mothers: Remembering the spinning of In their words it difficult to Ladies” published by HarperCollins. Used with permission. wool and Although our libraries and museums keep their spirits up. weaving of cloth and the preserving have many hundreds of letters and George Washington depended on his of fruits and vegetables to supply the documents written by the Founding wife to come with him to camp during troops for the coming winter. When Fathers, many of the writings of women the winters. Martha Washington her carriage pulled into camp, the were lost or destroyed. Women’s writings sewed for the troops, prayed with soldiers would cheer for her and her weren’t always thought to be important. them, cooked for them and joined load of fresh supplies. But from the diaries and letters we other wives to entertain them. One After the war, Martha worked with do have, we have learned that women visitor to Valley Forge, Pa., said about Congress to establish benefits for were very influential (in-floo-EN- her: “I never in my life knew a woman veterans of the war. shul), or had a great effect on, the men so busy from early morning until late who were leading our new nation. at night as was Lady Washington.” ®

from The Mini Page © 2014 Universal Uclick Courageous Women  Abigail Adams  Imagine ordinary life during the Strong opinions Speaking her mind 18th century: No electric lights. No Abigail had strong opinions that Abigail wrote to John about the washing machines or dishwashers. she shared with her husband by future for women in March 1776, No cars. No cellphones. No TV. No letter when he was away. She wrote saying, “I desire you would Remember video games! about the need for more schooling for the Ladies.” After the revolution was Then imagine being a mother over, many female schools of small children, as Abigail were created so that educated Adams was, with your husband women could raise sons to be in Philadelphia working good citizens. on starting a new country, When John became vice while you remained at home president, the couple moved in Massachusetts with war to New York and then breaking out all around you. Philadelphia. Later, as the first John Adams wrote to his first lady* to live in the White wife: “You are really brave, my House, Abigail continued to dear, you are an heroine.” Years influence her husband. later, John Quincy Adams, Abigail also felt strongly Abigail’s son, wrote: “For the against slavery, as did John. space of twelve months my illustration by Diane Goode from “Founding Mothers: Remembering the Ladies” published by HarperCollins. Used with permission. She believed one of the battles mother with her infant children women. Women in those days could of the war had been lost because of the dwelt, liable every hour of the not go to college. While she was well- “sin of slavery.” “You know my mind day and night to be butchered in educated for a woman of her time, upon this subject,” she told him. cold blood, or taken and carried to Abigail didn’t think her education * The term “first lady” wasn’t widely used Boston as hostages.” was enough. until the mid-1800s.

from The Mini Page © 2014 Universal Uclick from The Mini Page © 2014 Universal Uclick TM Our Founding Moms Ready Resources C E B N O T G N I H S A W S E The Mini Page provides ideas for N G N I N F L U E N T I A L D Basset I N O I T U L O V E R J K A U websites, books or other resources that will help Brown’s you learn more about this week’s topics. L I O P O L I T I C A L R V C On the Web: Try K D S S T R O N G R A W O E A • whitehouse.gov/about/first-ladies N N P M I L E T T E R S W R T • pbs.org/wgbh/amex/adams/filmmore/ps_ladies.html ’n’ A U K G A D V H I S T O R Y I At the library: Find R O S X M D A E G A R U O C O • “Founding Mothers: Remember the Ladies” by Cokie F F L C I T A M S I R A H C N Roberts Words that remind us of founding mothers are hidden in the block above. Some • “Heroines of the American Revolution: America’s words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: ADAMS, CHARISMATIC, COURAGE, EDUCATION, FOUNDING, Founding Mothers” by Diane Silcox-Jarrett FRANKLIN, HEROINE, HISTORY, INFLUENTIAL, LETTERS, MADISON, POLITICAL, REVOLUTION, SLAVERY, STRONG, WAR, WASHINGTON, WORK. ®

TM Mini Spy TM Rookie Cookie’s Recipe Mini Spy is dressed as Martha Washington to Chocolate Chip Cake Cookies celebrate Mother’s Day. See if you can find: q word MINI You’ll need: q fish q letter E q whale q tooth • 1 package cake mix, flavor of your choice • 1/2 cup cooking oil q ladder q needle q letter C q kite • 2 1/2 tablespoons water • 2 eggs q lipstick q butterfly q caterpillar • 1 (8-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips q number 7 q letter A q exclamation mark What to do: 1. Grease a cookie sheet. 2. Combine ingredients and mix together well. 3. Place batter on cookie sheet in spoonfuls spaced about 2 inches apart. 4. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 10 minutes. 5. Remove from oven and let cool. Makes 2 dozen cookies. You will need an adult’s help with this recipe. from The Mini Page © 2014 Universal Uclick Meet Anne Hathaway Anne Hathaway is a singer and actress who is the voice of Jewel in the movie “Rio 2.” She has starred in many movies, including “Get Smart,” “The Princess Diaries” and “Ella Enchanted.” She has also appeared in many plays, TV shows and commercials. Anne, 31, was born in New York City and grew up in Millburn Township, N.J. In high school, she sang in the All-Eastern U.S. High School Honors

photo by Kevin Estrada, courtesy Blue Sky Studios. TM and (c) 2014 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. All Rights Reserved Chorus. She later studied drama and musical theater in schools and drama companies. She has homes in Los Angeles and New York. Anne supports many charities, including the Lollipop Theater Network, which helps provide movies for hospitals treating children with serious illnesses. She also has helped vaccinate kids in Nicaragua

from The Mini Page © 2014 Universal Uclick from The Mini Page © 2014 Universal Uclick TM TM Mighty Edward Cheserek Funny’s Mini Jokes Gus The only way to slow down Edward Cheserek may be to All the following jokes have something in common. Can you Goodsport’s make him carry the pile of trophies and awards he has won. Supersport Cheserek grew up living in a mud hut in the Great Rift guess the common theme or category? Valley of Kenya, a mountainous area of Africa famous for its long-distance runners. As a boy, Edward ran eight Mary: What did the baby light bulb say to its mother? miles to and from his school each day — barefoot. Martha: “I wuv you watts and watts!” Edward came to the U.S. in 2010 after receiving a scholarship to St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Millicent: Why is a rainy day hard for Newark, N.J., where he excelled in running events and a mother kangaroo? was named the 2013 Gatorade National Cross Country Margaret: Because her joey has to Runner of the Year. Height: 5-6 As a freshman at the University of Oregon, Cheserek’s play inside! Birthdate: winning ways have continued. He captured the NCAA 2-2-94 Maura: What did baby Tarzan’s mother Birthplace: Men’s Cross Country Championship last November, and Kapker, Kenya added NCAA indoor track titles in the 5,000 and 3,000 read to him in the jungle? meters in March. Meryl: Sa-fairy tales! ®

from The Mini Page © 2014 Universal Uclick Moms Making History  Deborah Read Franklin  Doing good work The “founding mothers” of our While Benjamin Franklin Standing up for herself country had no real rights. They represented the colony of While Deborah was managing the were considered to be the property of Pennsylvania in England for years at postal service, an Englishman, Lord their husbands. They couldn’t go to a time, Deborah Read Franklin lived Loudon, tried to fire one of her workers. college or run for political office. They with her mother in Philadelphia and She stood up to him and accused him of couldn’t even vote! They depended on kept his printing shop in business. slowing down the mail. men for money, as there were very Even when Ben was named Deborah was few paid jobs that women could do. postmaster for the good at running Yet women worked hard for the Colonies, Deborah a business and cause of the new country. “As I ran the postal managing the postal was writing the book, I couldn’t get service in his service. Franklin over how political they were,” Cokie absence. wrote about her: Roberts said. “They had so much But she was not “Frugality (being dedication to the cause.” happy with Ben’s careful with money) Women long times away is an enriching wrote from her. She virtue, a virtue I pamphlets begged him for could never acquire and letters. six years to come in myself, but I was They kept back to America, lucky enough to find plantations but Ben didn’t it in a wife, who and farms in business while their return until after thereby became a men were fighting or planning the illustration by Diane Goode from “Founding Mothers: Remembering the Deborah had died. Ladies” published by HarperCollins. fortune to me.” new government. They made their Used with permission. own products and boycotted, or  Dolley Madison  refused to buy, British goods. After the American Revolution, Dolley Madison was the wife of During the War of 1812, as the women worked together to form a James Madison, our fourth president. British attacked Washington, D.C., safety net for people, establishing Dolley “really brought people Dolley was at home alone in the orphanages and poorhouses for those together,” Cokie Roberts said. She White House. Dolley wouldn’t leave in need. was given a lot of credit for James’ the White House until a large The Founding Fathers respected the election to president. While he was portrait of George Washington was women and their opinions. Thomas good at speaking with people one-on- safely removed. Just a few days later, Jefferson and others traded letters one, he was not very charismatic Dolley returned to help rebuild the with many women, including family (care-is-MAT-ick), or charming. But city. Her bravery made her wildly members, friends and strangers. his wife was called “Queen Dolley.” popular in the young United States. Look through your newspaper for articles The Mini Page thanks Cokie Roberts, author of “Founding Mothers: Remembering the Ladies” and the adult book “Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation,” about influential women. What causes are for help with this issue. they working for? The Mini Page Staff Betty Debnam - Founding Editor and Editor at Large Lisa Tarry - Managing Editor Lucy Lien - Associate Editor Wendy Daley - Artist