Emma Willard

Her Ruby Shoe Moment Emma Willard felt defeated. The New York Legislature again had refused to provide her school, the Waterford Academy for Young Ladies, with a public endowment after years of promises. The school was so successful, and her students so accomplished, that she had been confident of success this time, even breaking her usual rule to not spend … Read More

Lillie Devereaux Blake

Her Ruby Shoe Moment Lillie Devereaux Blake wrinkled her nose as she looked at the John Lennox, a two-level cattle barge. It stank! The decks of the barge were still covered in manure from its regular passengers, despite the fact that the owner had promised to clean it. But Lillie didn’t let that stop her — she held a kerchief … Read More