Today is International Women’s Day, honoring the economic, political and social achievements of women throughout history. IWD has its roots in the early 20th century demonstrations of women working in textile and garment factories, and has evolved into a global celebration and official holiday in dozens of countries world-wide. All of us at TSP are suggesting honorees (you’ll find Marion‘s and Anastasia‘s picks elsewhere on this site); won’t you share yours?
MY SON, AKA The River, is obsessed with Harry Potter. Though this puts him in good company, it’s not my favorite of his interests. (Give me karate, skiing, or the history of World War II any day.) I’ve read some, not all, of the books (though I’m pretty sure I’ve now heard them all on tape) and though I think I understand why they’re such a phenomenon, they leave me a little cold. Mostly, their success makes me wish that some of the fantasy books I loved as a child were equally devoured and acclaimed. (The Dark is Rising, anyone? How about The White Mountains?) But thanks to Harry Potter, this is the question I got while driving home from school yesterday. “Mom? What’s a Wiccan?”
I tried to explain as best I could, given limited knowledge and a 7-year-old listener. “Umm, it’s kind of like a witch. But, a good one. No bad magic.” So far, so good.
“Didn’t some of them get killed? You know, for being witches? A long time ago. And weren’t most of them women?” Never mind that “Wicca” is a contemporary term, having nothing to do with those poor victims of Puritan hysteria–leave it to a kid to get right to the heart of any subject.
As I answered, and we continued to discuss the hysteria and fear that took the lives of 24 innocent people (yes, 16 of them women) more than 300 years ago, I felt anger rising. “What did they do that was so awful?” asked my son, and I had no answer.
At home, I started reading a bit online, refreshing my memory of the events in Massachusetts. A woman named Martha Carrier, a native of Andover, stands out. The tiny bit that is written about her suggests that she was a strong, dare I say modern, woman trapped in a difficult and dark time, when life was harder than we can even imagine, and theocracy ruled. Most of the accused played along, knowing that submission might equal salvation. But not Martha. Her response to accusations of witchcraft was that the accusers, a gaggle of adolescent girls, had to be nuts. She stood firm, and as a result, she was hung on August 5, 1692 (along with John Proctor, who would be immortalized, albeit in a heavily fictionalized manner, in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible).
Thanks to my son and his Harry and Hermione mania, I found the woman I’d like to nominate today for a moment of recognition on International Women’s Day. Martha Carrier deserves recognition for having the courage to stand her ground and cry “crazy” on mindless persecution and fear. Would that we all had that courage.
How about you? Who’s your pick for a women due for some recognition?
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coincidentally, my grandmother’s married name was Salem (she’s on my IWD honoree list), and we always called her the Salem Witch (as a compliment). She dressed up as a Salem Witch every Halloween–a tradition that’s since been passed down to my mother.
Hi Paige,
I love this piece. One of my family relatives was Rebecca Nurse who was also hanged during this time. Her homestead is a museum in Danvers (http://www.rebeccanurse.org/RNurse/AboutUs.htm) The interesting footnote is that her sister, Sarah, petitioned the crown for reparations for her sister’s death. A movie was mad of this story starring Vanessa Redgrave (http://www.amazon.com/Three-Sovereigns-Sarah-Story-Trials/dp/B00004R5SK) It is a beautiful story of the love between sisters.
Anastasia–does that mean that one day you’ll be picking up the witchy mantel? Err, broom?
Jane–That’s such a great story, and I can’t wait to check out the movie. I’ll have to add it to the SisterFlicks list, as well. Thanks so much for sharing your connection to the witchy sisterhood.
I’d like to nominate Molly Ivins. How I miss her acerbic wit, and her generous humor. I went to hear her speak a few years ago when she came to Albany to benefit the Breast Cancer foundation. It was obvious that she was fighting the disease herself at that time. There’ll never be another like her.