Roaring Twenties — The phrase brings to mind flappers, fringe and long beads; rising hemlines; jazz; Art Deco; economic prosperity; movies, telephone, automobiles, radios all gaining popularity.
In the first year of the 1920s women received the right to vote. The date: August 18, 1920.
My grandmother turned 38 years old the next day, and was expecting her youngest child (my mother). I remember Grandma as full of life and laughter and ready for adventure (even if only the armchair variety in later years). An expert with needle and thread and crafty endeavors, she created costumes in the early days of the film industry. Sewing skills allowed her to serve many wealthy members of her community with custom clothing and draperies.
She believed in the power of a woman, and I’ve often said over the years, she may have been born in an era ahead of her time. As a working woman, wife, and mother, raising a large family, I can’t imagine much time for community involvement in the Suffragette movement, but I’m sure she encouraged anyone at every opportunity to do their part to secure the vote for women. I also believe, though I have no proof, that she would have been in line at the local polling place to cast her ballot in the November 1920 election. She would have educated herself on her choices, and voted.
We stand at the threshold of a new twenties decade, and at a crossroads in our country. Our votes are important. Along with the obvious challenges of virus-induced locked-down businesses and schools, and our free republic vs socialism, abortion is also a large player. Will we vote to protect unborn lives? I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt she would have. You see, her mother’s pregnancy with her was one of much inconvenience — an embarrassment to her noble family, and one that sent her away from home and family to make a new life as a single mom in America. Throughout history options were available for a woman to bring back their time of month (a subject I tackle in my work-in-progresss, working title: Clara’s Cameo.
How thankful I am my Great Grandmother chose life for her child. Choose Life is a theme I promote in my own life. I use my reflexology credentials to serve women at Life Choices, our local free pregnancy medical center; sponsor children in poverty through Compassion; and support the ministry of Focus on the Family. I’ll be using my right to vote to choose candidates who support life beginning at conception. Focus on the Family will be hosting a transformational pro-life online event September 26. We’ve included the trailer. I encourage you to watch and to exercise your right to vote in November. I pray you, too, will vote pro-life.
I have very few photos of my grandmother. My best guess, she is around six or seven years old in this one.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (in Heaven), GRANDMA!
