Women in Public Life: Politics, Law, & Business
Essays by speakers who are women involved in the public sphere in politics, law, and business.
Allen, Florence Ellinwood, 1884-1966
Judge Florence Allen explains her worry over the “deterioration of the human spirit” and her belief that faith and intelligence and the fair application of law may restore the human spirit and through law create a peaceful planet.
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Astor, Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor, Viscountess, 1879-1964
Viscountess Astor, a Member of Parliament in the British House of Commons, recounts growing up in Virginia and being influenced by the faith of her African American nurse, and states her belief that the English-speaking people are the hope of the world because the Bible has been translated into their common language, that individuals don’t start life on an equal plane because of socioeconomic disadvantages, that one needs the doctrine of the fatherhood of God in order to believe in the brotherhood of humanity, that Mary Eddy Baker’s vision has brought healing, and that Christ’s message will bring peace on Earth.
Belden, Mary Addams
Entrepreneur Mary Belden describes her beliefs in the brotherhood of individuals, the need for tolerance, the importance of listening to the other side of an argument, the dignity of human beings, the need to remember the past, and her confidence that Christianity will triumph over other philosophies, dispelling fear and uncertainty.
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Bolton, Frances Payne Bingham, 1885-1977
Francis Bolton, U.S. Representative from Ohio, explains how her mother’s death prompted her to search for truth, and describes her beliefs that all life is part of a Universal Life, that progress and achievement come after suffering and darkness, and that human beings have evolved out of the essence of God and will ultimately be reabsorbed into God’s Being.
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Bonham Carter, Violet, 1887-1969
Violet Bonham Carter, Vice President of the Liberal Party in Great Britain, describes her Prime Minister father’s influence on her life; and states her belief in the “absolute value of truth,” in the diverse means (religion, philosophy, poetry, nature) of arriving at that truth, and in the courage to think honestly.
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Dobbs, Catherine R.
Ohio State Senator Catherine Dobbs describes her beliefs that the Golden Rule teaches her how to live life, that nature’s laws underlie the basic circumstances of life, that individuals are created in the image of God, that human nature is capable of great kindness and great cruelty, and that personal freedom is a right which comes from God.
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Earle, Genevieve B.
New York City Councilwoman Genevieve B. Earle remembers the surprise of seeing poverty as a child and how she developed a belief in the benefits of a strong government to promote laws and provide for its citizens although she says that can only happen when the people are engaged as active, equal partners in the work of a city.
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Hamilton, Mary Agnes, 1884-1966
Journalist Mary Agnes Hamilton, former Labour Member of the British Parliament, describes her belief in the soul and the bond it creates between fellow human beings, and her belief in absolute values that remains strong despite the evils of Nazism and Communism.
Holloway, Alice G.
Author and business professional Alice Holloway describes the influence her grandmother and father have had on her beliefs and her certainty that kindness and service to others in need is the kindness that comes from a deeply spiritual and selfless place in people.
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Kemper, Lucrezia
Advertising executive Lucrezia Kemper describes how her family taught her the foundation of her beliefs and success: the value of faith in people, respect for others, kindness, generosity, and security.
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Kreuzer, Melanie
Melanie Kreuzer, Syracuse Common Council member and homemaker, describes the responsibilities that come with parenthood and community service.
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Lloyd George, Megan, 1902-1966
British politician Megan Lloyd George states how her generation, which grew up during WWI, has never known true peace, and describes her belief that one’s perspective will never be quite accurate without a spiritual component.
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Neal-Martin, Marie
Publisher and editor Marie Neal-Martin describes how she inherited from her mother and grandmother her beliefs in people, the Golden Rule, her country, and God by describing her mother’s attitude in adversity and her grandmother’s life after the Civil War.
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Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962
Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt describes growing up in a religious household and later questioning her childhood beliefs, and concludes with the belief that a person must simply do the best that she can while meeting the future with courage.
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Simon, Caroline K. (Caroline Klein)
Lawyer Caroline Simon emphasizes the dignity of all people and talks briefly about her work with the New York State Commission Against Discrimination.
Smith, Margaret Chase, 1897-1995
Margaret Chase Smith, U.S. Senator from Maine, describes the beliefs which make the discouragement of political work worthwhile: a belief in an individual’s God-given purpose and rights, such as the right to consideration and courtesy from others, the right to criticize constructively, the right to honestly hold unpopular beliefs, the right to protest orderly, and the right of independent thought.
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Thompson, Alice, 1910-
Alice Thompson, publisher of Seventeen magazine, talks about her life as a mother, a wife, a member of society, and a worker and explains the importance of understanding, love, and compassion to a happy life.
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Vann, Jessie, 1885-1967
Jessie Vann, an African American newspaper proprietor, describes her belief in the value of keeping her promises, her aunt’s prediction that she would never amount to anything, her belief in the power of gratitude and appreciation, and the management of her husband’s newspaper after he died.
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