t is my fervent conviction that there existed in relatively recent generations some women who never, or rarely, compared themselves to men, did not worry about gender identity, and most asuuredly did not survive financially on inherited wealth. Either by accident (mostly unfortunate accident) or by design.
Here they are – a very regrettably finite list.
Never married, finished the equivalent of 3rd grade, learned “fractions” at age 45. Always and eternally financially marginal but saved money so I could go to NYC and Washington, DC on the proverbial “senior trip.” My great grandmother.
Beautiful, demanding, dismissive of most people, especially men although married twice. Financially more than marginal, but bought me a fur coat and hat for my fourth birthday. Mother of my mother and her two sisters. Always candid — maybe to a fault.
Home schooled, was a Lt. Commander in the US Navy Waves in her twenties, lived in Boston. First Junior Warden in the history of historic King’s Chapel. Celebrated the occasion by wearing red tennis shoes as an usher — but that was it! Never married and had poems written to her by celebrated poets on her 90th birthday.
Private, generous, loyal, candid when pushed, followed career paths in medicine across the Midwest. Married to her immigrant family. My aunt.
A pure intellectual who loved to “share information.” A spy of sorts. I called her Pearl Mesta but that really didn’t do her justice. Did what she had to do as she saw it.