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Sarah Hale - A Remarkable Woman

© Christina Coruth

Sarah Josepha Buell Hale campaigned for 40 years, writing thousands of letters to Governors, Senators, Congressmen, and five Presidents, before she realized her goal on August 6, 1863 when President Lincoln proclaimed that Thanksgiving would henceforth be an official holiday observed on the last Thursday of November. Sarah also wrote the poem "Mary Had a Little Lamb," which was included in her book, Poetry for Children, published in 1823.

These impressive accomplishments are but a part of the life of a remarkable woman who has been largely ignored by history.

Born in Newport, New Hampshire in 1788, Sarah's determination exhibited itself early in her life. During this period, girls weren't given the same educational opportunities as boys. Sarah's brother, Horatio, taught his sister everything he was learning as a student at Dartmouth College. He brought his Latin, Mathematics and philosophy books home and studied with Sarah. When he graduated from Dartmouth, he made out a diploma for Sarah -- "Mistress of Arts, Summa Cum Laude. Horatio Gates Buell College." (Tardiff, p30)

Sarah's studies continued when she married David Hale, a lawyer who shared her thirst for knowledge. In the evenings they would study French and Botany. David died shortly before the birth of their fifth child leaving the 34 year old Sarah to support herself and her children. She taught school and wrote when she could. Publication of her book, Northwood, in 1827 brought her critical acclaim. Considered the first important work of fiction by an American woman, Northwood was set against the backdrop of slavery and the strife between the North and South.

In 1828, she became America's first woman editor when she was hired to that position by the publisher of the American Ladies' Magazine in Boston. The magazine thrived under her leadership. Unlike editors at other similar magazines of the day who sought articles from European writers, Sarah published the work of American writers. These words from her introductory editorial foretold the course of the magazine and the cause she would support for the rest of her life -- "In this age of innovation perhaps no experiment will have an influence more important on the character and happiness of our society than the granting to females the advantages of a systematic and thorough education."

Philadelphia publisher Louis A. Godey purchased the very successful American Ladies' Magazine in 1837 and merged it with his own Lady's Book magazine. He recognized that Sarah had been the reason for that success and hired her as editor of the new Godey's Lady's Book. Their professional relationship lasted for 40 years until he sold the magazine in 1877 and Sarah retired. Again, with Sarah at the helm and her boss actively involved, the magazine flourished reaching a circulation of 150,000 prior to the Civil War. Godey laid down some rules. No religion and no politics. Critics belittled the magazine for being "sentimental and like cambric tea" (Tardiff, p31) and many feminists of the day held the same opinion of Sarah. Yet, a closer look revealed Sarah's tireless efforts to further women's rights.

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