Today is Friday, May 2.
Good Housekeeping Magazine went on sale for the first time in 1885. In 1909 the Good Housekeeping seal of approval was established.
In May of 2002, a painting by Norman Rockwell entitled “Rosie the Riveter” was auctioned off by Sotheby’s for $4,959,500. Following the United States entry into World War II in 1941, millions of American women answered the governments call to enter the workforce and fill the job of the men who had gone off to fight for our country.
These women wore hardhats and overalls and operated heavy machinery. They did much more than rivet. Millions of women worked in defense plants, steel mills, foundries, lumber mills, aircraft factories, offices, hospitals and daycare facilities. Women built the ships, planes, tanks and aircraft carriers it took to fight Hitler.
“Victory is in your hands” and “We can do it” were slogans used to appeal to women’s emotions and their patriotism. In July of 1944, when World War II was at its peak, there were more than 19 million women employed in the United States, more than ever before. They suggested that the situation was only temporary, which allowed the public to accept women in unusual jobs.
The National War Labor Board said women would be paid the same wages of a man. These standards were seldom enforced. Women were being hired, but they were not treated equally. The standard work week was 48 hours, and most women worked overtime. Sunday was their day off and vacation time was cancelled. Women were known as “production soldiers.”
According to the Chicago Police Department, the murder rate is down in Chicago even with the recent shootings. They say violent crimes always increase when the weather gets warmer and more people are outdoors. “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.” You can hold peace marches until you turn blue, no politician, priest, police or principal can stop the violence.
Parents are the ones that can make the change. It is up to parents to teach their kids right from wrong in the first place. Teach them to respect other people and their property. Look around at how a lot of adults act today and it won’t take long to figure out why some kids are like they are.
I want to send a big Thank You to Ray Munoz for my red, white and blue pin. I love it.
I attended the benefit for Floyd Colbert on April 19. We all had a wonderful time and hopefully raised a lot of money.
On April 27, we did our annual March of Dimes Walk for Babies. We had a great time and raised some money for a great cause. Every year more than a half of a million babies are born too early and 120,000 are born with birth defects. “One day all babies will be born healthy, but we have to walk to get there.”
Have a Mint Julep and celebrate Derby Day on Saturday, May 3. This will be the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby. It is a 11/4 mile race run annually on the first Saturday in May for thoroughbred 3-year-old horses.