11-21-1994 Women of Achievement and Herstory Here's a quiz: What do the following women have in common? Anna Mae Hays, Elizabeth P. Hoisington., Wilma L. Vaught, Connie L. Slewitzke, Mildred C. Bailey, Evelyn P. Foote, Sarah P. Wells, Myrna J. Williamson, Jeanne M. Holm. (Answer at the end of today's WOA.) Anniversaries -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- B. 11-21-1835, Henrietta Howland Green, (Hetty Green), miserly financial genius believed to have been the richest woman in the United States, called the _Witch of Wall Street_ because of her ability to make huge sums of money while living and raising her children at poverty level. Since she lent money to over-extended financiers, the witch appellate may have been as a result of her ability to threaten foreclosures and the fear of her calling in loans. Inherited $10 million and invested it into more than $100 million. B. 11-21-1850, Isabel Florence Hapgood, pioneer translator of Russian literature in bringing Tolstoy, Dostoevski and Chekhov to English readers. Editorial writer for the magazine _Nation_. B. 11-21-1870, Mary Johnston, ?? friend of Ellen Glasgow ??, novelist of extraordinary power wrote primarily Virginia period pieces although her works became more complex as time went on. She was a active suffragist and peace advocate. Her second novel, _To Have and To Hold_ was a runaway bestseller in 1900. In all she published more than 20 novels and had one play produced on Broadway, _The Goddess of Reason_. B. 11-21-1894, Cecil Murray Harden, in 1948 became the first woman elected US Representative to Congress. B. 11-21-1904, Louise Yim, Korean active in establishment of the Interim government and underground leader against Japan, founder and president of Central Women's College in Seoul. B. 11-21-1943?38, Marlo Thomas, actor, feminist. B. 11-21-1945, Goldie Hawn, actor and comedic talent who went from TV as the _Laugh-In_ airhead to an Academy Award for her supporting role in _Cactus Flower_ (1969) and has become one of the most respected actors and film producers in Hollywood. Her _Private Benjamin_ (1980) is a classic for all times. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington on 06-09-1970 became the first WOMEN Brigadier General in the history of the United States and the others also served as Brigadier Generals in either the U.S. Army of U.S. Air Force. This is NOT a full list of all the women who have gained the rank of Brig. General or better. Most of these names are from the Women's Memorial Fund letterhead but I thought it was interesting since the gains women have made in the armed services seems to be a BIG secret. In 1971, Jeanne M. Holm is promoted to brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force, the first woman to gain that rank in the Air Force. In 1973, Holm was promoted to major general and became the highest ranking woman officer to that date. I would appreciate any updated information on women in the armed services anywhere in the world. (C) 1994 Irene Stuber, PO Box 6185, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71902, irenestuber@delphi.com. Distribute verbatim copies freely with copyright notice for non-profit use. Don't let anyone tell you there weren't notable and effective women throughout history. They were always there, but historians failed to note them in our histories so that each generation of women has had to reinvent themselves.