International Women's Day

Happy International Women’s Day, Philadelphia women!  International Women’s Day has been observed since in the early 1900s, and continues to honor women’s advancement (while diligently reminding of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women’s equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life).  But today, let’s celebrate, and honor three Philadelphia women through my favorite medium: shoes!

An artist:

Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was one of the leading artists in the Impressionist movement of the later part of the 1800s.  Her family moved to Philadelphia from Pittsburgh when she was six years old, and she studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (despite her father’s objection that he’d “rather see you dead first”) before going to Europe to study—and changing the world of art.  I adore this heel from It3 for Mary: the floral silk outer is an homage to her more feminine subjects, but the angular heel (that’s awesome!) hints at some of the daring moves she made as an artist.  These beauties come to you from a boutique in Paris (where Mary studied too, and died, actually!) and are yours for $80 via Farfetch.

A saint:

Katherine Drexel (1858-1955) grew up in money: her father was an investment banker, and her uncle founded Drexel University.  After many years of donating money and doing good deeds, she became a missionary to Native American missions, and later a nun.  She founded a system of black Catholic schools in 13 states, 50 missions for Native Americans in 16 states, and Xavier University in New Orleans, the first Catholic university in the United States for African Americans.  Xavier’s school colors?  Gold and white, just like the Boat Moc by Minnetonka—and it’s a moccasin (sort of), the traditional footwear of some of the Native Americans she served.  A leather upper, insole, and lining in cheery yellow (or white, fuchsia, brown, or blue)—find them at Zappos for $50.

And the woman who gave us Thanksgiving:

Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879) was a poet and editor, who moved to Philadelphia to edit Godey’s Lady’s Book.  At this time Thanksgiving was not widely celebrated around the country (and even then on different days), but Hale wanted it to be a national holiday.  For 38 years, she went on a letter-writing campaign to various states and four presidents—but it was the fifth one, Abraham Lincoln, that agreed with her and decreed Thanksgiving a national holiday.  (If that’s not enough, she also wrote “Mary Had a Little Lamb”!)  Sarah Hale is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery.  The Carson by Comfortview are similar to shoes that would have been popular when Thanksgiving became a holiday in 1863 (see these barrette boots!).  They have a delicately cut out upper, lots of cushioning, a three-inch heel, and a zipper up the back to let you in.  Available in black or tan; your choice for $80 from Jessica London. 

Celebrate being a woman today—and know you are the latest in a line of extraordinary Philadelphia women!

Sales this weekend:

Sorry ladies, my computer is back in the shop.  I promise, a time is coming where I will have my laptop whole again and I can give you all the sales you deserve!