Instead, she made an impact in other important ways.

Over the years, I came to appreciate the skills Mom had – analytical, organized, high EQ, determination and perseverance – and knew that she could have had an excellent career had circumstances and timing been different. We were both mother and daughter as well as great friends. It’s wonderful to have a letter like that and to remember the kinds of conversations we had. I feel women should have a choice without being criticized – wish I had had one in the beginning. Be interesting for you to watch as time goes on. Lesley’s comments about it being more a question of choice is probably true for her at the moment, but if and when they have a family she may change. And, Mary, you know how proud your father and I were (and I still am) of all your accomplishments – in education, the business world, and the raising of your delightful children, and your loving relationship with Ian. Later, of course, we spread our wings further afield. You know how we enjoyed travelling even in the limited way we could afford in the early days.

At the same time, we looked after our houses and entertained when necessary – which as you probably remember was quite frequently in our house!

Some, like I did, immersed themselves in church work or community service – rewarding in its way but a bit lacking in personal fulfillment. I, for one, found it quite boring at times, so I guess I could go along with the question “Is this all?”īy the time the war was over, women expected a lot more of life than they were getting as wives and mothers and had to wrestle with the problem. With few exceptions, everyone I knew stayed home with their children and followed – or allowed – their husbands to make the major decisions. Like you, I have mellowed over the years.Īt first, I was outraged that my own role as wife and mother was being attacked. I wrote a series of Letters to Lesley for the blog of a friend of mine.) I remember all the ways pro and con that women I knew reacted to Betty Friedan. It was intriguing to read the various questions and comments in the “Letter to Lesley”. She was a superb homemaker, hostess, volunteer, and mother, grandmother and grandmother – Dad didn’t think it was necessary for his wife to work! Here’s her take on The Feminine Mystique. Last week, while going through a few of her papers, I stumbled on a letter she wrote to me about Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique written by hand in her small but well-formed writing.Įdythe was born in 1926, married my father in 1945 and had three children by 1955.

I was fortunate to be with her in the weeks leading up to her death and also when she took her last breath. Some of you will know that my mother passed away on Feb 24th at the age of 96.

The feminine mystique was written by