Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling

March has been designated as National Women's History Month. For the past 35 years the National Woman's History Project has brought the contributions of women from around the nation to the forefront. The theme for 2015, as stated on the website: www.nwhp.org, is Weaving the Stories of Women Lives. “This years theme presents the opportunity to weave women's stories-individually and collectively-into the essential fabric of our nation's history.”

What a powerful statement, weaving the stories of women back into our history . How often has society overlooked the women, from all classes,who have made contributions in our lives? Sadly it's numerous, shamefully too numerous.

I'm a member of a book club and recently we read a wonderful book, “Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy” by Karen Abbott. It's a story of four women during the Civil War who actively spied and fought for the cause they so heartily believed in. Regardless of their station in society, they risked everything from family to their very lives to support their troops. These women were fearless determined fighters in their own way. One changed her identity and kept it hidden so that she could fight side by side with the men. Another used her wealthy position to entertain Generals to garnish any information that might pass from tongues made loose from too much wine. This is a fascinating story of four young women, Yes, young women they were from 17 years old to no older than mid 20's! And apparently they were not alone. Many women spied and fought during the war. I had no idea. I highly recommend this book , it's a good read.

 

Then there's the Ruth Faith. Ruth is the 6xGreat Grandmother of my friend Sandy Rumble. Ruth was a widow who, as legend goes, donated her deceased husband's clothes and saddle to the troops. But that wasn't enough for Sandy who wanted to join DAR through a woman's contribution. It turns out that she also paid supply taxes, which is just the type of proof DAR wants. Because of this record Sandy was admitted to the DAR last spring. But even though it isn't provable, that Ruth gave her husdand's clothes, saddle and probably boots to a soldier in need, it was a selfless act. Wouldn't it be wonderful if there is a diary out there waiting to be found in which a soldier had written how the Widow Faith gave him her husbands clothes. It could happen.

 

And then last but not least, there's my grandmother, Miriam Green Schralla. My grandparents met in Tallahassee, Florida n 1917 and married in 1918. Shortly after my Dad was born in 1920, they move back to Quincy, IL where my grandfather was from. There she went to a local business school and learned typing, shorthand and everything else a good secretary needs to know. Her first and only job after graduating was with Adams County Treasurers office. This was sometime in the 1930's, when it was definitely a man's world. For the next 30 years, she worked and learned everything she could about the treasures office. Then in 1953 the county treasurer resigned his position to take a job with the state. The county commissioners appointed Grandma to fill out the unexpired term. In a letter to the editor from the Quincy Herald-Whig, Sunday, August 9, 1953 Lula Bailey wrote:

“Thirty-one years ago a little lady from Georgia began work in the county treasurer's office and worked hard to learn the many details of the office, and she went to work to learn it with vim and vigor because she loved the work and the people she worked with and for. Elected county treasurers came and went, but she kept on in the background, and every year mastered more and more of the work so that she had her fingertips on every phase of the work done in the office...her name became a symbol of efficiency, politics being entirely in the back...It doesn't surprise us who know her that she should be the choice of the supervisors to fill out the unexpired term of the county treasurer, made necessary by the resignation of E.W. Thompson...Honor to whom honor is due. Just a woman who has labored faithfully and well not seeking anything but the joy of work well done.”

 

And it doesn't stop there, another small article that was cut out of the paper, so sadly I don't know which publication it is, states; “...When E. W. Thompson resigned to accept a state position, the board gave proper recognition to the woman who has served longer and done more than any other to make the treasure's office function smoothly, It was a deserved honor.”

The Supervisors by a vote of 21-17 appointed her! She won out over the Deputy Sheriff . She is the first woman to hold this office for Adams County and only the third in the state!

Is it any wonder then that in 1954 she announces that she will seek a full term as county treasurer.

  

 

 

She wins the election, of course, with over half the votes. Out of 24,525 counted votes she received 13,943 while her opponent, Robert (Red) Bickhaus only obtained 9,534 votes....I think I hear the shattering of that glass ceiling. How cool, right? And I can't help wonder if the current treasurer, Peggy Crim realizes she has my grandmother to thank for her being in her job?

 

I didn't grow up near my Grandma so I hardly knew her but I sure wish I could talk with her now.