The Part Taken by Women in American History/Foreword
FOREWORD.
American women and students of American history have long deplored the meagre credit which has been given to women for the part they have taken in the progress and achievements of America as a Nation.
The women citizens of or country—native and adopted—have worked with indefatigable energy, unswerving loyalty and marvelous intelligence for the betterment and progress of the people. Sections have not always agreed upon policies but the women of all sections have labored with untiring devotion for what seemed to them must bring the greatest good to the greatest number.
Appreciating the fact that scant tribute has been paid to the women of America and that no concrete record of their achievements existed, I have for several years, by conscientious and laborious research through all available sources, including the Congressional Library at Washington—one of the three greatest libraries in the world—endeavored, and, I believe, with success, to bring together the names of the women well known, and to rescue from oblivion those unheralded and unknown, and thus form a compendium of all names and achievements of the women who have taken a part in the vital affairs of our country.
The result of my efforts has been the writing of the book entitled "The part taken by women in American history."
I have, I believe, in this book, given an impartial portraiture of the part taken by women in American history, of those who have contributed to the development of our country in Art, Science, Literature, Music, Religion, Education, Philanthropy, Patriotism, Domestic Science, Club and Home Life, and to the various efforts women have made for the uplift of all mankind.
The names of paternal ancestors adorn the pages of history because of their wisdom in adjustment of the affairs of peace, an their heroic deeds in time of war, but little is known of our maternal ancestors—of the women who shared so patiently and courageously the privations, struggles and sacrifices for the Republic, in war and in peace, from the landing of the Pilgrims from the Mayflower until the present time.
in cosmopolitan America, women of every race under the sun have had opportunity to "show the world the rarest excellence of woman in the exercise of the largest and truest liberty the world has ever known." It can be added that her achievements are unprecedented, enabling her to stand side by side with the noble men of the Nation in every onward and upward movement for the advancement of civilization and Christianity.
"The part taken by women in American history" begins with those women of our country's earliest days, giving a correct chronicle of their lives; followed by a true history of such of their descendants as have, to the present time, done anything in any line for the advancement of American civilization, enumerating them as follows:
- Aboriginal women.
- Women of the Mayflower.
- Women of Colonial Days.
- Women's part in the Revolution or War of Independence.
- Women's endurance during the continual conflict with the Indians during the early days of the Republic.
- Women's co-operation in building the pioneer churches, establishing schools and the laying of the foundation of our social relations.
- Women's part in the extension of the spirit of humanity, philanthropy, Christianity and civilization to the uttermost parts of the earth.
- Women's part in the pioneer's shibboleth "Westward the course of the empire takes its way" sharing in all the privations and hardships of the pioneers.
- Women's part as missionaries of Christianity, morality and education.
- Women's part in bringing about peaceful settlement of the conflict between the United States and Mexico in 1848.
- The prodigious sacrifices of the women, north and south, during the Civil War.