Thank Sarah Josepha Hale for Our Thanksgiving Celebration

 

Few people realize that our national day of thanks resulted from a decades late long lobbying effort by Sarah Josepha Hale, the longtime editor in chief of Godey’s Lady’s Book- the premier magazine dedicated to mid 19th Century fashion and culture as well as the authors of Mary Had A Little Lamb.

It is nearly impossible for 21st Century women to appreciate the impact of Godey’s during its heyday. It was a combination of Vogue, WWD, Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, Magnolia, House & Garden, and the NYT  Book Review combined. 

Beginning in 1834, SJH began to lobby for a national day of Thanksgiving, believing it was a catalyst to unite the nation in a celebration of the freedoms and values of the USA. 

It was not until 1863 that she found an ear in President Lincoln in the midst of the American Civil War.

While SJH was not a suffragette and was politically conservative, she exhibited the courage and determination of American women to pursue their dreams.

Every American woman should give gratitude to SJH- if not for her determination and dedication to a cause, but at least promoting a holiday that provides most American workers with a four day weekend.

SJH is a mostly unsung heroine in American history. Remember her, Say her name. Thank her for her vision and her mission to encourage an attitude of gratitude.