So many women have graced the pages of History. Clara Barton (started the Red Cross), Molly Brown (stoic Titanic survivor), Amelia Earhart (first female pilot to cross the Atlantic), all the way up to today's First Lady, Michelle Obama (first African American First Lady of the United States).
We are strong, independent-minded, "get 'r done" kind of people. We have had to fight for rights that were solely provided to the male species. Some of us braved opposition and even death for the love of a man that at the time was socially unacceptable to love.
As is the case of the first Women's History Month feature here at the Homemaker Diary.
Her name is Sally Hemings. She was a devoted slave on Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest Plantation.
This past Fall, I was given the chance to finally see for myself, the beautiful grounds and home of Monticello. I'd gone with my eleven year old on a field trip. The home is only about a thirty minute drive from where I live, but until then, I was never able to go to the home and see it's wonderful structures and learn in real time, it's grand history.
Speaking of history, here, provided by WOMEN IN HISTORY is Sally Hemings' information.
DATE OF BIRTH: c.1773
PLACE OF BIRTH: Virginia
DATE OF DEATH: c. 1835
PLACE OF DEATH: Virginia
FAMILY BACKGROUND: Sally Hemings was born to slave master and sea captain, John Wayles and his slave Elizabeth "Betty" Hemings. John Wayles died the year Sally was born. Sally's family then became the property of Thomas Jefferson. Sally's eldest son, Madison Hemmings, accounts that Thomas Jeffereson is the father of Sally's children.
EDUCATION: As a maid in France, Sally received domestic servant training. It is uncertain whether or not she was literate.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Sally Hemings was the personal servant to Thomas Jefferson's daughter, Mary, later known as Maria. At the age of fourteen, Sally escorted Mary to France where Sally became very much a part of French society. Upon returning, she also became the maid to Jefferson's daughter, Martha.
After the death of Thomas Jefferson, Sally stayed at Monticello, caring for Martha and her family. Financial hardships which fell on the Jefferson family prevented Sally from leaving Monticello.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Bear, James A., Jr.. "The Hemings Family of Monticello," Virginia Cavalcade 29. 1979.
Betts, Edwin Morris, ed. Thomas Jefferson's Farm Book. 1953. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1953.
Brodie, Fawn M. Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History. New York: Naughton, 1974
Dabney, Virginius. The Jefferson Scandals: A Rebuttle. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1981.
Woodson, Byron W. A President in the Family : Thomas Jefferson, Sally Hemings, and Thomas Woodson. Westport: Praeger, 2001.
WEB SITES:
Sally Hemings - Monticello page
Sally Hemings - Gale Group Women's History Month
My work is ORIGINAL...Don't be a thief.
What is written in this blog, is of the author's own originality. It contains the sole views, thoughts, and stories of this blog's author.
Showing posts with label women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label women. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Friday, October 22, 2010
"If I Die Young"..
Sadly, many women do around the world. Thanks to Domestic Violence and Domestic Abuse. Most times, it is far too late to get the help that they so desperately need to get away from their abuser/attacker. And by the time anything is truly done in regards to the abuser, the woman is already forever gone.
Domestic Violence and Domestic Abuse can take place within anyone's home. And it is NOT always the man that is the abuser. There are women who have been known to abuse their boyfriend/husband or their girlfriend/wife. Men are just better known to be an abuser.
And I am a survivor of Domestic Abuse/Violence. The worst case of it being when I was in my early twenties. I was at the time living with my former BFF and my former (abusive) boyfriend.
At first, it was just little things. Basically, he was just a lazy bastard that suddenly felt that I needed to 'cater' to him and HIS needs. Then, as time went on, in came the isolation and the constant "checking up" on me to see about my whereabouts and who I was with (if he and I weren't together).
One day though, near the very end of the relationship, he finally snapped like the proverbial twig. I made a remark and basically told him that it was time for HIM to move out. Suddenly, rage had filled his eyes. It's as if a demon entered his body and took it over. All in the course of a split second.
Next thing I know, I feel the palm of his hand on my throat, and his fingers wrapped around. I could feel my pulse pulsating his fingers. And I felt the blood trying to pump and supply my brain with needed oxygen.
My airway was cut off completely, and I struggled as his hand lifted my feet off the ground as he was choking me literally to death. There was not an ounce of air entering my body. I could feel myself fighting off passing out.
And as quickly as it happened, it stopped. But not before he squeezed my throat so tight, that I turned red, and then bluish purple in the lips (by my friend's account, who witnessed this), and that I had felt the searing pain of his nails digging in to my neck.
After he let go, he tried to apologize and started crying. "Boo-fucking-hoo" was my thought, and I opened the door and told him to get out, and to not come back. I threw most of his shit out to the curb, but he broke in to MY home and stole things that were mine (and of course claimed it was NOT him, though none of HIS things were missing that were left behind).
In a moment, my life was almost gone. He either could have choked me to death, or could have snapped my neck and then he would have broken it, causing instant death. But he let me go in time.
I'm one of the lucky ones. I am a survivor. I am NOT a victim. Victims sadly are those that had died at the hands of someone that they loved and trusted. Or they are the ones that are too scared to leave their attacker/abuser, in fear of what may happen in the aftermath.
I'm here to say to those of you reading this, and are in an abusive relationship...YOU CAN GET OUT! No, it will not be easy. And yes, he/she will make their threats and scare you in to staying. And you will have to learn once again how to live and to take YOUR life back.
Abusers are all about power and control. They want to have all of it, and for their victims to relinquish it all to them. It's a power trip. So, they will use anything and everything against you to get what THEY feel that is "rightfully" theirs. Hitting, name-calling, isolation tactics, talking down towards the victim. It's all used to get the upper hand.
But I can tell you that you CAN get the upper hand back. It just takes the courage deep within that yes, YOU DO HAVE inside, and the willingness to leave. And their ARE organizations that can and will help you.
The police. The hospital. Social Services. And the National Domestic Violence Hot Line. Family and friends, too can help you. Don't be scared. There is a better life out there for you. Much better than the life you are forced to live now. NO ONE should be a caged bird, with its wings clipped. That is NOT living life. That is living a slow death.
Please, if you are in an abusive relationship, find it within yourself to leave and to live your life again. I promise you, it WILL get better.
Nat. Domestic Violence Hot Line (1−800−799−SAFE(7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224)
....I'm as green as the ring on my little, cold finger, I've
Never known the lovin' of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand, there's a
Boy here in town says he'll, love my forever
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life,
...And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singin'
Funny when your dead how people start listenin'
....Uh oh (uh, oh)
The ballad of a dove (uh, oh)
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save them for a time when your really gonna need them, oh
Domestic Violence and Domestic Abuse can take place within anyone's home. And it is NOT always the man that is the abuser. There are women who have been known to abuse their boyfriend/husband or their girlfriend/wife. Men are just better known to be an abuser.
And I am a survivor of Domestic Abuse/Violence. The worst case of it being when I was in my early twenties. I was at the time living with my former BFF and my former (abusive) boyfriend.
At first, it was just little things. Basically, he was just a lazy bastard that suddenly felt that I needed to 'cater' to him and HIS needs. Then, as time went on, in came the isolation and the constant "checking up" on me to see about my whereabouts and who I was with (if he and I weren't together).
One day though, near the very end of the relationship, he finally snapped like the proverbial twig. I made a remark and basically told him that it was time for HIM to move out. Suddenly, rage had filled his eyes. It's as if a demon entered his body and took it over. All in the course of a split second.
Next thing I know, I feel the palm of his hand on my throat, and his fingers wrapped around. I could feel my pulse pulsating his fingers. And I felt the blood trying to pump and supply my brain with needed oxygen.
My airway was cut off completely, and I struggled as his hand lifted my feet off the ground as he was choking me literally to death. There was not an ounce of air entering my body. I could feel myself fighting off passing out.
And as quickly as it happened, it stopped. But not before he squeezed my throat so tight, that I turned red, and then bluish purple in the lips (by my friend's account, who witnessed this), and that I had felt the searing pain of his nails digging in to my neck.
After he let go, he tried to apologize and started crying. "Boo-fucking-hoo" was my thought, and I opened the door and told him to get out, and to not come back. I threw most of his shit out to the curb, but he broke in to MY home and stole things that were mine (and of course claimed it was NOT him, though none of HIS things were missing that were left behind).
In a moment, my life was almost gone. He either could have choked me to death, or could have snapped my neck and then he would have broken it, causing instant death. But he let me go in time.
I'm one of the lucky ones. I am a survivor. I am NOT a victim. Victims sadly are those that had died at the hands of someone that they loved and trusted. Or they are the ones that are too scared to leave their attacker/abuser, in fear of what may happen in the aftermath.
I'm here to say to those of you reading this, and are in an abusive relationship...YOU CAN GET OUT! No, it will not be easy. And yes, he/she will make their threats and scare you in to staying. And you will have to learn once again how to live and to take YOUR life back.
Abusers are all about power and control. They want to have all of it, and for their victims to relinquish it all to them. It's a power trip. So, they will use anything and everything against you to get what THEY feel that is "rightfully" theirs. Hitting, name-calling, isolation tactics, talking down towards the victim. It's all used to get the upper hand.
But I can tell you that you CAN get the upper hand back. It just takes the courage deep within that yes, YOU DO HAVE inside, and the willingness to leave. And their ARE organizations that can and will help you.
The police. The hospital. Social Services. And the National Domestic Violence Hot Line. Family and friends, too can help you. Don't be scared. There is a better life out there for you. Much better than the life you are forced to live now. NO ONE should be a caged bird, with its wings clipped. That is NOT living life. That is living a slow death.
Please, if you are in an abusive relationship, find it within yourself to leave and to live your life again. I promise you, it WILL get better.
Nat. Domestic Violence Hot Line (1−800−799−SAFE(7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224)
....I'm as green as the ring on my little, cold finger, I've
Never known the lovin' of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand, there's a
Boy here in town says he'll, love my forever
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life,
...And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singin'
Funny when your dead how people start listenin'
....Uh oh (uh, oh)
The ballad of a dove (uh, oh)
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save them for a time when your really gonna need them, oh
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
I'm in a Musical Way,today!Join me & hear what I want to say to certain peeps!!
This first one is for my husband Scott. Let's just say that I'm sure we are BOTH in withdrawal thanks to my UTI problem. And for me, this following song states exactly how I'm feeling about him.
This next one is to my kids. They have been *almost* the death of me during Summer Vacation. Sadly, I can vouch that I have said EVERY SINGLE thing in this "mom song" at least a hundred times, plus another million...
The eating song goes out to my PMS and knowing that I have gained two pounds from water-weight gain. And another two will be added from stuffing my face for the next week or so...
Every once in a while, including very recently, I have thought about the old days of my youth. And I swear, Tim got this right!
There is a way out! You just need to find the courage to pick yourself up and leave. It WILL be difficult and extremely scary to do so, at first. But to escape and taste the freedom of what life REALLY has to offer is more than worth it..I should know.
Last but not least, this one goes to all my gal-pal readers! No matter if you are 9 or 99. We really ARE the same inside...
This next one is to my kids. They have been *almost* the death of me during Summer Vacation. Sadly, I can vouch that I have said EVERY SINGLE thing in this "mom song" at least a hundred times, plus another million...
The eating song goes out to my PMS and knowing that I have gained two pounds from water-weight gain. And another two will be added from stuffing my face for the next week or so...
Every once in a while, including very recently, I have thought about the old days of my youth. And I swear, Tim got this right!
There is a way out! You just need to find the courage to pick yourself up and leave. It WILL be difficult and extremely scary to do so, at first. But to escape and taste the freedom of what life REALLY has to offer is more than worth it..I should know.
Last but not least, this one goes to all my gal-pal readers! No matter if you are 9 or 99. We really ARE the same inside...
Monday, August 9, 2010
Are you on FaceBook? Come see me here!
I've got many interests. It seems like at least one for every letter of the alphabet. *I wonder now how many of you started reciting your ABC's and put an interest with each letter...hehe.*
I now run two groups that I had started. And I own a couple of Fan/Like Pages for both this blog, and my ParanorMel blog, as well.
If you are a member of FaceBook, feel free to check out the following places that I hang out in when I'm not playing Cafe World (for Skyler!), posting videos to my wall, or looking in on my peeps.
The first one up is a place for the ladies ONLY! Sorry guys, you are barred from this room. And if we catch you, you get thrown out like a drunk in speedos at the nightclub.
The Ladies Room is a place for the ladies (married, divorced, single..we take them all!) to just chat, share recipes, vent, get or give advice and talk about much more...Relationships, raising kids, marriage, home-based topics. Even gab about current events, top news topics, celebrities, and entertainment.
This is a group for WOMEN only!! And all members MUST be 18 years of age, or older to be a part of the group. No exceptions! If you are found out to be a minor, or a male member, you WILL be removed, as well as BANNED from The Ladies Room. << Told ya we were harsh!
I Support Parents With SILENTLY Disabled Children is a group for Mothers, Fathers, Foster Parents or Legal Guardians of a child that is disabled by "SILENT" disabilities, such as any Mental Disorder/Illness/Disability, a physical handicap that isn't necessarily "visible" on the outside (like Lupus) or another type of "silent" disability... Get support, advice and be able to vent in a SAFE HAVEN where other caregivers/parents as yourself will "get you".
Parents/families with Non-Disabled children who may also like to learn more about Silent Disabilities, and/or wish to GIVE SUPPORT/ADVOCATE for children with SILENT disabilities and their parents, may join as well!
As for the Fan Pages, first up is The (Not Always) Happy Homemaker Diary page. Inside, you can get links to the most current, as well as past blog posts for the blog. It's an interactive area where you can post discussions, talk about the posts and much more.
And last, but most certainly not least, is the Fan Page over at FaceBook for my secondary blog, ParanorMel. Where, again, you can find the latest, as well as past blog post links. You can talk about YOUR experiences with the paranormal, post pictures, open topics on the Discussions tab and do so much more.
That seems to be all for this "plug post", today. I hope to see you come over and stop by. Join in the fun at one of, or better yet, all of these great, fun, supportive, and interactive places!
I now run two groups that I had started. And I own a couple of Fan/Like Pages for both this blog, and my ParanorMel blog, as well.
If you are a member of FaceBook, feel free to check out the following places that I hang out in when I'm not playing Cafe World (for Skyler!), posting videos to my wall, or looking in on my peeps.
The first one up is a place for the ladies ONLY! Sorry guys, you are barred from this room. And if we catch you, you get thrown out like a drunk in speedos at the nightclub.
The Ladies Room is a place for the ladies (married, divorced, single..we take them all!) to just chat, share recipes, vent, get or give advice and talk about much more...Relationships, raising kids, marriage, home-based topics. Even gab about current events, top news topics, celebrities, and entertainment.
This is a group for WOMEN only!! And all members MUST be 18 years of age, or older to be a part of the group. No exceptions! If you are found out to be a minor, or a male member, you WILL be removed, as well as BANNED from The Ladies Room. <
Parents/families with Non-Disabled children who may also like to learn more about Silent Disabilities, and/or wish to GIVE SUPPORT/ADVOCATE for children with SILENT disabilities and their parents, may join as well!
As for the Fan Pages, first up is The (Not Always) Happy Homemaker Diary page. Inside, you can get links to the most current, as well as past blog posts for the blog. It's an interactive area where you can post discussions, talk about the posts and much more.
And last, but most certainly not least, is the Fan Page over at FaceBook for my secondary blog, ParanorMel. Where, again, you can find the latest, as well as past blog post links. You can talk about YOUR experiences with the paranormal, post pictures, open topics on the Discussions tab and do so much more.
That seems to be all for this "plug post", today. I hope to see you come over and stop by. Join in the fun at one of, or better yet, all of these great, fun, supportive, and interactive places!
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