Women's History Month

Happy National Women’s History Month!  We’re at the start of a worldwide, month-long celebration of the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.  Philly girls, you are part of a long line of awesome Philadelphia women.  I thought in the spirit of the month, I’d look at four of them and honor them they best way I know: shoes!

A painter:

Cecilia Beaux (1855-1942) was one of the most successful portrait painters of her era, despite being frequently overshadowed by fellow Philadelphian Mary Cassatt.  She received some high praise indeed while accepting the Carnegie Institute’s Gold Medal: “Miss Beaux is not only the greatest living woman painter, but the best that has ever lived.”  She’s buried in Bala Cynwyd.  While the silhouette of the Blake by FIEL might not be one Beaux was familiar with, the colors and stripes are so reminiscent of her self-portrait it’s scary.  Also available in metallic rose gold and metallic bronze; your choice for $52 from 6pm.

An anthropologist:

Margaret Mead (1901-1978), born in Philly and raised in Doylestown, was a respected and often controversial academic who popularized the insights of anthropology in modern American and Western culture. Her reports detailing the attitudes towards sex in South Pacific and Southeast Asian traditional cultures influenced the 1960s sexual revolution.  Inspired by her seminal 1928 work Coming of Age in Samoa and the costumes of Samoan ceremonial dancers, I give you this pair of heeled suede sandals, adorned with shells, rocks, and rhinestones.  They’re so fascinating, you could write a whole book about them. J  Yours for $131 from DHGate.

A theater legend:

Ethel Barrymore (1879-1959) was the crown princess of Philly’s royal family of acting.  In fact, she was called “more regal than royalty,” and critics have written of being so moved by her ability that they wept the entire way through a play she was in and completely forgot to follow the plot.  (Read her awesome obituary.)  I picked this gorgeous pair of heels because they remind me of this stunning photo of Ethel in costume for her 1901 film Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines.  No idea what the movie was about, but she looks like a friggin’ fairy princess.  I have no doubt this pair of satin heels, bedecked with roses and vines, would have been a perfect match.  Yours for $166 from Etsy seller A June Bride.

And a rock star:

Joan Jett (born 1958), was born in Wynnewood, and as the lead singer of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts she showed everyone that women can seriously rock.   If she’s not in a pair of black boots, the Queen of Rock and Roll is sporting something like the Chuck Taylor High Top by Converse.  It’s a classic, just like Joan.  Sure, you can get it in gray, white, ivory, or red, but that doesn’t make you much of a Blackheart.  Find them at Nordstrom for $55.

Kind of makes you proud to be a woman in Philadelphia, doesn’t it?