Great story. Am so happy she didn’t marry. She would have been forced to stop teaching because of the marriage bar which stayed in effect until the 1970s(!!!)
What a great theme you have skilfully woven in the Old Maid’s Day story - I enjoyed getting to know Florence! Hats off to her! I was a little overwhelmed with the comprehensive length and content of this post, so I will need to return to catch up on the rest!
Adding the more newsletter-y content at the end was an experiment, and one which I don’t think was all that successful lol. Several readers mentioned the same thing, or that it felt like a last-minute addition. But, overall the idea of having that kind of informational content somewhere and sometime was well received.
Feedback is always good, especially when trying something new!
Two options seems to have risen to the top from readers: 1) put that newsletter-y stuff into a weekly chat, and 2) make it a once-a-month standalone post,
This week, I’m going to test out the chat on Thursday, and we’ll see how it goes!
Anyway, thanks a lot for your comment and feedback, and glad you enjoyed Florence’s story!
Such an interesting read, Lori! I always cringed at the negative connotations of "old maid" and "spinster," so it's interesting to realize their origins (which still seem, at least in the case of old maid, to have some pejorative aspects). What a powerful thing to take what ought to be a put-down and make a celebratory day out of it.
Wow Lori I can't believe you have packed so much into one post! I actually have had to print this out to be be able to take everything in and not miss anything. Plus if I'm honest I might leave the German Chocolate cake recipe on the side and see what happens!!!
Thanks, Paul and good luck with the Baking Fairies, I hope they take the hint!
Here’s a little secret about the post about Florence and also today’s presentation about my family’s story of German Chocolate cake: I sometimes find a story and don’t know when to stop!
In addition to my grandparent’s and Florence’s German Chocolate cake stories, I ended up gathering more than a dozen others, all having something to do with German Chocolate cake and stretching back more than a century.
I’ve been sitting with most of them for a good long while now, unsure of what to do.
But could they be a book? A series? An anthology?
The love and joy I get here on Substack has made me think that’s maybe a possibility! So thanks!
Fingers crossed for the cake! Similarly I am often guilty of hoovering up stories that I find either online or by falling down research rabbit holes. Not all make it to print, but there is always a stockpile to choose from!
Great story! I think the best way to deal with a stereotype is to confront it head on ... Holding an old maids day and owning the title does just that.
Florence's prime marriage potential years were from 1911 to 1916. She hit age 21 in 1912 but the average age of marrying was dropping rapidly at the same time. A drop in marriage age for men is an indicator of improving wage earner economics. It would be fun to track her situation in detail during those prime years to get an inkling of why she didn't marry. Just based on economic data from that period, I would guess her reason was more personal than economic. She may simply have not been attracted to men, or valued her freedom more than a role as wife and mother. Events in her childhood may have played a role as well. See the link below for an interesting view of the statistics.
Very interested! I came across, but didn’t reference, a couple newspaper stories about “young people mixers” which Florence attended while she was teaching in both Wichita and Dallas, but you’re right, how and why she remained unmarried is unknown and likely the result of her desire for a career, the marriage squeeze and personal choices. Thanks for the add!
She was in a mostly all women college during her prime years which may explain it. When I found out Illinois State (formerly a teachers college) had a female to male ratio of about 6 to 4, I thought “Sign me up, those are good odds.” LOL
What a wonder story. Although I’m married, I love the idea of an old maid day! I have friends who celebrate being a “dog moms”. There are so many ways to uplift old stereotypes.
Great story. Am so happy she didn’t marry. She would have been forced to stop teaching because of the marriage bar which stayed in effect until the 1970s(!!!)
What a great theme you have skilfully woven in the Old Maid’s Day story - I enjoyed getting to know Florence! Hats off to her! I was a little overwhelmed with the comprehensive length and content of this post, so I will need to return to catch up on the rest!
Thanks, Carole, especially for that last bit.
Adding the more newsletter-y content at the end was an experiment, and one which I don’t think was all that successful lol. Several readers mentioned the same thing, or that it felt like a last-minute addition. But, overall the idea of having that kind of informational content somewhere and sometime was well received.
Feedback is always good, especially when trying something new!
Two options seems to have risen to the top from readers: 1) put that newsletter-y stuff into a weekly chat, and 2) make it a once-a-month standalone post,
This week, I’m going to test out the chat on Thursday, and we’ll see how it goes!
Anyway, thanks a lot for your comment and feedback, and glad you enjoyed Florence’s story!
Such an interesting read, Lori! I always cringed at the negative connotations of "old maid" and "spinster," so it's interesting to realize their origins (which still seem, at least in the case of old maid, to have some pejorative aspects). What a powerful thing to take what ought to be a put-down and make a celebratory day out of it.
Thanks, @Ruth! I think, like all words used to denigrate or shame, old maid and spinster lose power when they’re reclaimed.
I really enjoyed putting this piece together and learning about the context of Florence’s story. Glad you enjoyed it.
Wow Lori I can't believe you have packed so much into one post! I actually have had to print this out to be be able to take everything in and not miss anything. Plus if I'm honest I might leave the German Chocolate cake recipe on the side and see what happens!!!
Thanks, Paul and good luck with the Baking Fairies, I hope they take the hint!
Here’s a little secret about the post about Florence and also today’s presentation about my family’s story of German Chocolate cake: I sometimes find a story and don’t know when to stop!
In addition to my grandparent’s and Florence’s German Chocolate cake stories, I ended up gathering more than a dozen others, all having something to do with German Chocolate cake and stretching back more than a century.
I’ve been sitting with most of them for a good long while now, unsure of what to do.
But could they be a book? A series? An anthology?
The love and joy I get here on Substack has made me think that’s maybe a possibility! So thanks!
Over 20 in draft form 😳
hehe oh no, not drafts, full on completed pieces LOL
Fingers crossed for the cake! Similarly I am often guilty of hoovering up stories that I find either online or by falling down research rabbit holes. Not all make it to print, but there is always a stockpile to choose from!
Love the history of Old Maid's Day in Denton TX!
A sweet story, like a piece of German Chocolate cake. You’re right, Florence had a full life.
Love your storytelling. I feel like I’m hearing you read it out loud while I read it. And I’ll see you in 21 days!!
Great story! I think the best way to deal with a stereotype is to confront it head on ... Holding an old maids day and owning the title does just that.
Florence's prime marriage potential years were from 1911 to 1916. She hit age 21 in 1912 but the average age of marrying was dropping rapidly at the same time. A drop in marriage age for men is an indicator of improving wage earner economics. It would be fun to track her situation in detail during those prime years to get an inkling of why she didn't marry. Just based on economic data from that period, I would guess her reason was more personal than economic. She may simply have not been attracted to men, or valued her freedom more than a role as wife and mother. Events in her childhood may have played a role as well. See the link below for an interesting view of the statistics.
https://www.statista.com/chart/7031/americans-are-tying-the-knot-older-than-ever/
Very interested! I came across, but didn’t reference, a couple newspaper stories about “young people mixers” which Florence attended while she was teaching in both Wichita and Dallas, but you’re right, how and why she remained unmarried is unknown and likely the result of her desire for a career, the marriage squeeze and personal choices. Thanks for the add!
She was in a mostly all women college during her prime years which may explain it. When I found out Illinois State (formerly a teachers college) had a female to male ratio of about 6 to 4, I thought “Sign me up, those are good odds.” LOL
Lovely research. Great story. See below for image of The Crying Bride.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19373011/flora-charlotte-kemp
What a wonder story. Although I’m married, I love the idea of an old maid day! I have friends who celebrate being a “dog moms”. There are so many ways to uplift old stereotypes.
So much fun learning about old maid and spinster!