Mother of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is a traditional North American holiday to give thanks at the conclusion of the harvest season. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada. Although over the years turkey seems to be the icon for the holiday, would you believe that a woman is behind the foundation of the annual event? Sarah Josepha Hale is a prominent woman in history that was very instrumental in getting Thanksgiving Day accepted as a national holiday in the United States.

Sarah Josepha Hale(1788 - 1879) was an American writer. She is well known as the author of the popular nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb." From 1827 until 1836, Hale served as editor of Lady's Magazine in Boston. Ten year later she began working as editor of another women’s magazine, “Godey's Lady's Book,” in Philadelphia. She remained editor at Godey's for 40 years and retired at almost the age of 90 in 1877. Throughout the years Hale wrote many novels and poems and published nearly fifty volumes of work by the end of her life. Her biggest accomplishment of course, is being credited as one of the major forces behind the declaration of Thanksgiving as a national holiday.

For more information about Sarah and other prominent women writers of the 19^th century, visit Women Writers net. Throughout history and into the present women have been a driving force behind positive change. Let the women of the past inspire your future. Be thankful this holiday season and stay connected!