Born mid-1800s, lived thru wars, depressions, the vote: Mary Alice Smith Dakin, Caroline (Carrie) Matilda Helsten Evans, Mary Louisa Helsten Pomeroy, Alice Copeland Harvey, Martha Elnora (Nora) Worthington Richardson. Nora, lived thru the Chicago Fire, life-long learner became entertaining speaker at the women's groups. Hired by the WPA to help research and write the Historical Survey of Oak Park - a town she new so well. Four raised on farm or tannery. When her husband died, Mary L ran lumberyard and hardware store on farm. Mary A taught, married postmaster-general store owner, sold the business and moved to a farm. Carrie married entrepreneur contractor, moved to Gt Barrington MA during a building boom and back to care for aging parents. Took over family business of a mill, not tannery. To send children to college, Alice ran boarding house, then moved to Oak Park. They met life's challenges, nurtured and raised families who met the demands of the 20th century. - see Remember the Women! part 1, (2016)
