Jessie Ann Benton Frémont, and her husband, John C. Frémont, lived lives that embodied the pulse and experience of America during the nineteenth century. Their triumphs and tragedies reflected the tides of America's own triumphs and tragedies.
Whether it was the promise of Western expansion, the freedom of the Gold Rush, the desperation of abolition, the sordidness and ambitious political system, the luxury of the Gilded Age, or the humiliating poverty of the economic downturn in 1873, this couple experienced it all as if they were America itself.
Santa Fe author, Sally Denton captured their fascinating lives in the most interesting biography I have ever read. She skillfully presented a story, one that is as engrossing as a great Hollywood movie, and yet detailed with historical accounts. I strongly encourage people to read this book. It presents such a fascinating look into our nation's past. "Passion and Principle: John and Jessie Frémont, the Couple Whose Power, Politics, and Love Shaped Nineteenth-Century America" by Sally Denton.
Jessie Ann Benton Frémont
I am still trying to understand the character of Jessie. This is my first introduction to her. Her father raised her as if she were a boy. He included her in meetings with prominent American political leaders. He developed her writing skills and had her assist with his senatorial duties. Growing up in such an unconventional way gave Jessie the confidence to approach and demand respect from everyone, including President Abraham Lincoln. Her power was not admired by all however, and many strove to "put her in her place", but she was like a river. If she encountered opposition, she changed her course and carved a new path for herself.
In Her Own Words
"I only hope that the youth of this country will learn to evaluate the past in the light of our heroes' dreams as well as their achievements and this for their own sakes, since by the largeness of our dreams do we truly live." *
- Jessie Frémont (1824-1902)
American writer, political activist, and philanthropist
*Denton, Sally, "Passion and Principle: John and Jessie Frémont, the Couple Whose Power, Politics, and Love Shaped Nineteenth-Century America" (2007) p. 377
About the author: Allison Frederick is a writer and online marketing educator for other creative women. www.FaMissWomen.com offers free Web 2.0 resources. She is also the author of an upcoming novel, A Portrait of Josephine, an academic-lite thriller. Find out how to receive a free copy of the novel by visiting www.portraitofjosephine.com
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Jane Avril, One Woman's Tale of Fame and Poverty
The fear of poverty and obscurity runs deep in the minds of many women. Decisions to marry, leave a career, provide sacrificial support of a spouse's career, raise children and caring for family are some of the reasons women find themselves in vulnerable situations. "[O]ver their working lifetimes, women spend a total of 11 ½ years off the job on average, versus only 16 months for men."*
One woman's tale of fame ended in extreme poverty. Jane Avril, a famous Parisian can-can dancer was one of the most famous dancers of her time. You've probably seen her depicted in Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's posters or as Nicole Kidman's character in the 2001 movie, Moulin Rouge. She was a woman everyone adored and she brought in large crowds as she performed on stage. Yet, when she died, she had no money and no support.
Jane stopped dancing when she married a German artist and became pregnant. She cut herself off from her previous career and did not have a suitable replacement way to earn money.
Have you ever cut yourself off from a financially profitable job or career to tend to family duties? That is exactly what Jane did and when her husband died, she had very little of her own savings to sustain her. Even though Jane Avril lived in Paris in the early 1900's, her story is told over and over again in the lives of women we know today.
So how can we avoid her fate? The answer is to protect yourself and plan for the future. Women need to have a strong understanding of how to manage money. I am not referring to paying the bills. I mean that we need to learn how to invest in stocks, real estate, or businesses. We need to know what bank accounts we have and we have to actively manage them. If you take time off from your career, then develop another source of cash flow. With the help of a broker or on your own, invest in the stock market or other similar products. By taking proactive steps to ensure your financial security, you can avoid the sad fate of Jane Avril.
If you take time off from your career or if you leave career, how else could you make money? A great resource to help plan for your financial security is the book "Smart Women Finish Rich" by David Bach.
About Jane…
Jane Avril was her stage name. Avril is French for the month, "April". Her real name was either Jeanne Beaudon or Jeanne Richepin. She was born in 1868 and died in 1943. In 1889, she was hired as the featured dancer at the famous Moulin Rouge (a nightclub) in Montmarte.
Montmarte was an artist district where absinthe alcohol strongly influenced the youthful, bohemian attitudes of the artists, writers, and the Parisian nightlife. Absinthe has a colorful, interesting history. It is dubbed as "The Green Fairy". It is a potent hallucinogen and I believe it was while under the influence of "The Green Fairy" that Vincent Van Gogh found the "courage" to cut off his own ear and package it with love to the woman he admired. To learn more about absinthe, I suggest this entertaining book "Absinthe: History in a Bottle".
*Bach, David. "Smart Women Finish Rich" Broadway Books, New York, NY 2002. p. 18
About the author: Allison Frederick is a writer and online marketing educator for other creative women. www.FaMissWomen.com offers free Web 2.0 resources. She is also the author of an upcoming novel, A Portrait of Josephine, an academic-lite thriller. Find out how to receive a free copy of the novel by visiting www.portraitofjosephine.com
One woman's tale of fame ended in extreme poverty. Jane Avril, a famous Parisian can-can dancer was one of the most famous dancers of her time. You've probably seen her depicted in Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's posters or as Nicole Kidman's character in the 2001 movie, Moulin Rouge. She was a woman everyone adored and she brought in large crowds as she performed on stage. Yet, when she died, she had no money and no support.
Jane stopped dancing when she married a German artist and became pregnant. She cut herself off from her previous career and did not have a suitable replacement way to earn money.
Have you ever cut yourself off from a financially profitable job or career to tend to family duties? That is exactly what Jane did and when her husband died, she had very little of her own savings to sustain her. Even though Jane Avril lived in Paris in the early 1900's, her story is told over and over again in the lives of women we know today.
So how can we avoid her fate? The answer is to protect yourself and plan for the future. Women need to have a strong understanding of how to manage money. I am not referring to paying the bills. I mean that we need to learn how to invest in stocks, real estate, or businesses. We need to know what bank accounts we have and we have to actively manage them. If you take time off from your career, then develop another source of cash flow. With the help of a broker or on your own, invest in the stock market or other similar products. By taking proactive steps to ensure your financial security, you can avoid the sad fate of Jane Avril.
If you take time off from your career or if you leave career, how else could you make money? A great resource to help plan for your financial security is the book "Smart Women Finish Rich" by David Bach.
About Jane…
Jane Avril was her stage name. Avril is French for the month, "April". Her real name was either Jeanne Beaudon or Jeanne Richepin. She was born in 1868 and died in 1943. In 1889, she was hired as the featured dancer at the famous Moulin Rouge (a nightclub) in Montmarte.
Montmarte was an artist district where absinthe alcohol strongly influenced the youthful, bohemian attitudes of the artists, writers, and the Parisian nightlife. Absinthe has a colorful, interesting history. It is dubbed as "The Green Fairy". It is a potent hallucinogen and I believe it was while under the influence of "The Green Fairy" that Vincent Van Gogh found the "courage" to cut off his own ear and package it with love to the woman he admired. To learn more about absinthe, I suggest this entertaining book "Absinthe: History in a Bottle".
*Bach, David. "Smart Women Finish Rich" Broadway Books, New York, NY 2002. p. 18
About the author: Allison Frederick is a writer and online marketing educator for other creative women. www.FaMissWomen.com offers free Web 2.0 resources. She is also the author of an upcoming novel, A Portrait of Josephine, an academic-lite thriller. Find out how to receive a free copy of the novel by visiting www.portraitofjosephine.com
Monday, September 17, 2007
Book: Goddess in Everywoman
This book has been around a long time. Unfortunately, I just read it. I would have fared better in life and my own psychology had a read it some time ago. The book is less technical and academic than The Goddess Within by Jennifer Barker Woolger and Roger Woolger (which is also an excellent, insightful book).
In The Goddesses in Everywomen, I found several archetype female characters with habits ringing true with mine. I was amazed at how much I connected with a couple of ancient greek goddess archetypes. Author Jean Shinoda Bolen does a wonderful job connecting a modern woman's psychology to ancient profiles of dominant female characters.
Examination of the greek goddesses helps us understand why there are apparent "conflicts" in our own personalities. In my case, how could I thrive in the outdoors and still love and crave a big city? I thought this was a contradiction in my life and yet, according to Dr. Bolen, these traits are expected according to the goddess I identify with.
This book is also great to help you understand other women in your life, whether they are your family, friends, or co-workers.
Don’t delay like I did. Read Goddess in Everywoman now.
Looking for more?
If you would like to read articles written by Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen, or see what else she has written, please visit her website.
About the author: Allison Frederick is a writer and online marketing educator for other creative women. www.FaMissWomen.com offers free Web 2.0 resources. She is also the author of an upcoming novel, A Portrait of Josephine, an academic-lite thriller. Find out how to receive a free copy of the novel by visiting www.portraitofjosephine.com
In The Goddesses in Everywomen, I found several archetype female characters with habits ringing true with mine. I was amazed at how much I connected with a couple of ancient greek goddess archetypes. Author Jean Shinoda Bolen does a wonderful job connecting a modern woman's psychology to ancient profiles of dominant female characters.
Examination of the greek goddesses helps us understand why there are apparent "conflicts" in our own personalities. In my case, how could I thrive in the outdoors and still love and crave a big city? I thought this was a contradiction in my life and yet, according to Dr. Bolen, these traits are expected according to the goddess I identify with.
This book is also great to help you understand other women in your life, whether they are your family, friends, or co-workers.
Don’t delay like I did. Read Goddess in Everywoman now.
Looking for more?
If you would like to read articles written by Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen, or see what else she has written, please visit her website.
About the author: Allison Frederick is a writer and online marketing educator for other creative women. www.FaMissWomen.com offers free Web 2.0 resources. She is also the author of an upcoming novel, A Portrait of Josephine, an academic-lite thriller. Find out how to receive a free copy of the novel by visiting www.portraitofjosephine.com
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Belated Birthday Wish to Janet Frame, A New Zealand Author
Celebrating the Birthday of Janet Frame
August 28, 1924 – January 29, 2004
Poet, Novelist – New Zealand
One of the exciting benefits about film is that you encounter people you may never otherwise encounter. I rented a film, An Angel at My Table, by director Jane Campion. You may recognize Jane’s name as the director of The Piano starring Holly Hunter and Sam Neill.
As a film, An Angel at My Table was unusual. It isn't a film that I see would have wide appeal, nor would I recommend it universally but there are people who would find it very interesting.
The characters are strongly portrayed but the pace is a little slow. It did; however, give me an introduction to a woman in history of whom I hadn't yet encountered. It features the life of Janet Frame, a poet and novelist from New Zealand.
Janet grew up with three sisters and a brother but it seems that she was a very shy person and had a lot of trouble connecting with people. Her social struggles led to her admitting herself into an insane asylum for treatment. It wasn't until she gained popularity with writing and made friends with other writers and artists that she seemed to "fit in".
Do you ever feel that your creative activities practically save you? It is almost as if their voice, their manifestation buoys you in life? According to the criticism published about Janet's life, Janet felt as if her writing saved her life, literally.
Looking for more?
Listen to Janet Frame read her poem "Friends Far Away Die"
Read three recently published poems by Janet Frame. "The End", "The Happy Prince", and "Eater of Crayfish".
About the author: Allison Frederick is a writer and online marketing educator for other creative women. www.FaMissWomen.com offers free Web 2.0 resources. She is also the author of an upcoming novel, A Portrait of Josephine, an academic-lite thriller. Find out how to receive a free copy of the novel by visiting www.portraitofjosephine.com
August 28, 1924 – January 29, 2004
Poet, Novelist – New Zealand
One of the exciting benefits about film is that you encounter people you may never otherwise encounter. I rented a film, An Angel at My Table, by director Jane Campion. You may recognize Jane’s name as the director of The Piano starring Holly Hunter and Sam Neill.
As a film, An Angel at My Table was unusual. It isn't a film that I see would have wide appeal, nor would I recommend it universally but there are people who would find it very interesting.
The characters are strongly portrayed but the pace is a little slow. It did; however, give me an introduction to a woman in history of whom I hadn't yet encountered. It features the life of Janet Frame, a poet and novelist from New Zealand.
Janet grew up with three sisters and a brother but it seems that she was a very shy person and had a lot of trouble connecting with people. Her social struggles led to her admitting herself into an insane asylum for treatment. It wasn't until she gained popularity with writing and made friends with other writers and artists that she seemed to "fit in".
Do you ever feel that your creative activities practically save you? It is almost as if their voice, their manifestation buoys you in life? According to the criticism published about Janet's life, Janet felt as if her writing saved her life, literally.
Looking for more?
Listen to Janet Frame read her poem "Friends Far Away Die"
Read three recently published poems by Janet Frame. "The End", "The Happy Prince", and "Eater of Crayfish".
About the author: Allison Frederick is a writer and online marketing educator for other creative women. www.FaMissWomen.com offers free Web 2.0 resources. She is also the author of an upcoming novel, A Portrait of Josephine, an academic-lite thriller. Find out how to receive a free copy of the novel by visiting www.portraitofjosephine.com
Friday, August 24, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Isabel Archer: Friend or Foe? (Book Review of "The Portrait of a Lady"
Book Review: "The Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James (American novelist), published 1881
Henry James succeeds in ushering our frustration with Isabel Archer from shortly after we met her, to the very end. His book ends rather too-life like, without resolution, without hope for the future, leaving the reader’s understanding of Isabel "in air". Or, as he says in his notes "en l’air".*
Isabel seems like the perfect heroine. She is poised, intelligent, beautiful, admirable, or so everyone tells us. But her actions and her own words hardly reinforce this view of her. In her own words, her thoughts are small and limited, and yet everyone observes that her ideas have no bound. So who is right? Unfortunately, author Henry James never helped us determine the answer.
This is the third time I've read about Miss Archer. I say Miss Archer for to me she will always be that. Mrs. Osmond, as she later evolved to be, seemed always to be a wrong note in my ear. Miss Archer has potential, opportunity, and adventure in her name. Mrs. Osmond is a trapped, sad, conventional woman. I suppose the true tragedy of this book is that our heroine was in fact both women simultaneously. Perhaps Henry James understood women better than I thought when he poignantly portrayed a woman’s double nature. Her double reality. Her double experience. How many of us are both Miss Archer and Mrs. Osmond? How many of us have unlimited potential that we steadfastly keep under lock and key? Why do we do this? Is it because we do not know our heart? James didn’t think so. It seemed that Isabel (for now we must admit she is both women), clearly knew her heart. Sure, she fell victim at times but she clearly knew what she wanted when she wanted it. I will not pretend to understand what it was she wanted. Three readings of this novel still leave me in the dark. It seems that most of her friends, perhaps all of her friends in the story also never really knew what she wanted. That was little matter to Isabel. In this she never wavered.
So why did Isabel put duty or pride above her freer nature? Was it that so much freedom was too much for her? She hinted at such when she dismayed that she was given such a large fortune by her uncle and it seemed right to her that rather than keep it for herself, she find a poor gentleman (the vile Mr. Osmond) to bequeath it too. She was unsettled in her freedom and found it wanting. She thought that a quiet, settled life as the wife of a gentleman was better, why? I am left with many questions about this heroine.
I would love to know your thoughts. Perhaps if I come to understand her, I shall see myself in a clearer light.
Looking for more?
1. From an essay by Patricia Rohrer, Teachers College, Columbia
“Something terribly human yet terribly flawed about the project of Isabel Archer, the heroine of Henry James' Portrait of a Lady, has always drawn me to this story of one individual's quest for a meaningful life. A spirited and intelligent young woman, Isabel unexpectedly inherits a fortune, freeing her particularly from the need to marry. Defying convention, as well as the aid and advice of her closest friends, Isabel pursues her dream of an "original" life with cool, confident independence.” Continue reading…
2. There is a 1996 movie version of The Portrait of a Lady, starring Nicole Kidman. I haven’t been able to locate a copy but it is directed by Jane Campion who is also the director of The Piano.
3. Pick up your own copy of "The Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James.
*Henry James, “The Portrait of a Lady”. Penguin Classics Edition, 1984 (original printing 1881), Appendix “From the Notebooks of Henry James”, p. 640
About the author: Allison Frederick is a writer and online marketing educator for other creative women. www.FaMissWomen.com offers free Web 2.0 resources. She is also the author of an upcoming novel, A Portrait of Josephine, an academic-lite thriller. Find out how to receive a free copy of the novel by visiting www.portraitofjosephine.com
Henry James succeeds in ushering our frustration with Isabel Archer from shortly after we met her, to the very end. His book ends rather too-life like, without resolution, without hope for the future, leaving the reader’s understanding of Isabel "in air". Or, as he says in his notes "en l’air".*
Isabel seems like the perfect heroine. She is poised, intelligent, beautiful, admirable, or so everyone tells us. But her actions and her own words hardly reinforce this view of her. In her own words, her thoughts are small and limited, and yet everyone observes that her ideas have no bound. So who is right? Unfortunately, author Henry James never helped us determine the answer.
This is the third time I've read about Miss Archer. I say Miss Archer for to me she will always be that. Mrs. Osmond, as she later evolved to be, seemed always to be a wrong note in my ear. Miss Archer has potential, opportunity, and adventure in her name. Mrs. Osmond is a trapped, sad, conventional woman. I suppose the true tragedy of this book is that our heroine was in fact both women simultaneously. Perhaps Henry James understood women better than I thought when he poignantly portrayed a woman’s double nature. Her double reality. Her double experience. How many of us are both Miss Archer and Mrs. Osmond? How many of us have unlimited potential that we steadfastly keep under lock and key? Why do we do this? Is it because we do not know our heart? James didn’t think so. It seemed that Isabel (for now we must admit she is both women), clearly knew her heart. Sure, she fell victim at times but she clearly knew what she wanted when she wanted it. I will not pretend to understand what it was she wanted. Three readings of this novel still leave me in the dark. It seems that most of her friends, perhaps all of her friends in the story also never really knew what she wanted. That was little matter to Isabel. In this she never wavered.
So why did Isabel put duty or pride above her freer nature? Was it that so much freedom was too much for her? She hinted at such when she dismayed that she was given such a large fortune by her uncle and it seemed right to her that rather than keep it for herself, she find a poor gentleman (the vile Mr. Osmond) to bequeath it too. She was unsettled in her freedom and found it wanting. She thought that a quiet, settled life as the wife of a gentleman was better, why? I am left with many questions about this heroine.
I would love to know your thoughts. Perhaps if I come to understand her, I shall see myself in a clearer light.
Looking for more?
1. From an essay by Patricia Rohrer, Teachers College, Columbia
“Something terribly human yet terribly flawed about the project of Isabel Archer, the heroine of Henry James' Portrait of a Lady, has always drawn me to this story of one individual's quest for a meaningful life. A spirited and intelligent young woman, Isabel unexpectedly inherits a fortune, freeing her particularly from the need to marry. Defying convention, as well as the aid and advice of her closest friends, Isabel pursues her dream of an "original" life with cool, confident independence.” Continue reading…
2. There is a 1996 movie version of The Portrait of a Lady, starring Nicole Kidman. I haven’t been able to locate a copy but it is directed by Jane Campion who is also the director of The Piano.
3. Pick up your own copy of "The Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James.
*Henry James, “The Portrait of a Lady”. Penguin Classics Edition, 1984 (original printing 1881), Appendix “From the Notebooks of Henry James”, p. 640
About the author: Allison Frederick is a writer and online marketing educator for other creative women. www.FaMissWomen.com offers free Web 2.0 resources. She is also the author of an upcoming novel, A Portrait of Josephine, an academic-lite thriller. Find out how to receive a free copy of the novel by visiting www.portraitofjosephine.com
Friday, August 17, 2007
Movie Review: Woman Sesame Oil Maker
This 1993 Mandarin film with English subtitles depicts a woman who builds a successful business but who still has to balance taking care of her mentally handicap son and drunk husband. Xiang, a woman who is about 35 years runs a very small sesame seed oil company. She and her children process the oil by hand. Her fortunes change drastically when a female Japanese investor decides to export the oil. This movie depicts a strong, self-sufficient business woman who is still trapped by excessive family responsibilities and her culture.
I found this movie at my local library or you can find it on Amazon.com
This film was directed by Chinese director Xie Fei. It won "Best Actress" at the Chicago International Film Festival and a "Golden Bear" at the Berlin International Film Festival.
About the author: Allison Frederick is a writer and online marketing educator for other creative women. www.FaMissWomen.com offers free Web 2.0 resources. She is also the author of an upcoming novel, A Portrait of Josephine, an academic-lite thriller. Find out how to receive a free copy of the novel by visiting www.portraitofjosephine.com
I found this movie at my local library or you can find it on Amazon.com
This film was directed by Chinese director Xie Fei. It won "Best Actress" at the Chicago International Film Festival and a "Golden Bear" at the Berlin International Film Festival.
About the author: Allison Frederick is a writer and online marketing educator for other creative women. www.FaMissWomen.com offers free Web 2.0 resources. She is also the author of an upcoming novel, A Portrait of Josephine, an academic-lite thriller. Find out how to receive a free copy of the novel by visiting www.portraitofjosephine.com
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