My mother, born Laura Gray in 1917 to John Milton Gray, a newspaper editor and Methodist minister, and Orpha Jane Gray, a former teacher. She was the youngest child of bright, aging, educated parents. When Laura was born, the Gray family lived in the little town of Allerton, Illinois. Laura's older sister, Ida, taught Laura to read before she entered the school of Allerton.
Always a bright student, Laura excelled in school. However, like many women of her age she graduated from high school, but she married soon after high school graduation, and did not attend college immediately. Nonetheless, Laura, a self-made and self-educated woman, was knowledgeable about a wide range of topics and specifically well-versed in literature and was a capable writer. Eventually, Laura was able to attend college and received both a bachelor's and a master's degree in English at Purdue University in the 1970's.
Although I do not remember Mom mentioning women's rights. she definitely was a feminist. She demonstrated her support of the rights of women with her positive life-style. My mom worked at a variety of jobs including nurse's aide, editor of a department store newsletter, and claims agent for the Lincoln Life Insurance Company. She was involved in a number of organizations and frequently would quickly assume a leadership position within each organization.
In addition to being intelligent and influential, Mom was kind and compassionate. She would have baby showers for unwed mothers, feed prisoners, visit the physically ill as well as the emotionally ill. After World War II, she sent clothes and other presents to a family in Holland until they regained economic independence.
Yes, my mother was a bright, gifted, charitable, woman, but she was a bit of a character too with a ribald sense of humor. This is evidenced in one of her favorite sayings, "You can lead a whore to culture, but you can't make her think.
Of course, this is merely a glimpse at the life of a woman whose life impacted many. You can read about other moms by checking the Fun Monday list at Roger's blog, A Screed in Time.
7 comments:
Now that sounds like an amazing woman to know! You're lucky to have grown up with her as your role model for what a woman should be!
She reminds me so much of my late Grandmother. also born around the same time to a Methodist minister in Pennsylvania in 1919. :) lovely tribute.
Your mother shows that we don't have to make a lot of noise to prove a point. An educated woman, self-sufficient, charitable, who probably made an impact not only on you, but on all she associated with.
What a lovely tribute to your mother, and how awesome was it that she earned her degrees while in her fifties. There is hope for me yet. :-)
Thanks for participating!
I should have joined this week -- although I've written about my mom more than once, there is still more to tell.
I enjoyed this very much.
She was a wonderful person. She liked me. When the mom feeds you, you know you can have a good relationship with the daughter. The mom's blessing means a lot.
MGD
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