It arrived Friday, a large, heavy, hardbound anthology of fifty years of writing from Ms. I won’t call it the best writing since the editors didn’t include my early short stories which they published—well, they were more about sadness than feminism (although like all radical movements, feminism and feminists are bound to experience some sadness). Nor did they include one of my proudest moments when I was pictured on the front of Ms. with an article by Gloria Steinem on my controversial role in the sale of the Bingham businesses. For more on that, look at my biography of the family, Passion and Prejudice, published some years ago by Alfred A. Knopf. Because of the furor my book raised, Knopf declined to publish the paperback version even though sales of the hardcover were excellent. So little Applause Books, an estimable small press that publishes theatre books, took up the challenge and that is the reason my book is still available, in paperback.
I haven’t read any of the contents of the Ms. anthology, divided up by decades, but its existence is a tribute to what fifty years of publication through thick and a lot of thin—I was able to bail the magazine out financially during one period of thin—has meant to this world. Courage, even outrageousness, humor, frank and fearless writing about women’s concerns, women’s lives, and the world around us that so often constricts and even silences us—what an accomplishment that is!
Ms. Magazine – June 1986
My next book, Taken by the Shawnee will be published by another admirable small press, Turtle Point Press, in New York in April, 2024, a stunning adventure for me and for my readers.
I have a great deal for which to be grateful.
I think Annie Rensselaer Tinker would be a good person to write a biography of, for some obvious and also some non-obvious reasons.
As I’m sure you know, for more than 85 years the Annie Tinker Association for Women has been providing financial assistance to elderly retired working women so that they may remain independent in their homes and continue to be involved community members. Ms. Tinker was concerned about the well-being of retired women not having a pension or savings.
Consider, if you will, the second wife of J. S. Bach, Anna Magdalena Bach.
While her husband was alive the family had a good income. She was a professional singer herself and contributed to the family’s income.
Johann Sebastian Bach died on the 28th July 1750. As he left immature children, a will naming his wife as sole heir would have been invalid.
The widowed Anna Magdalena was not able to maintain her previous standard of living. She received support from various institutions and also worked for her living, some scholars claiming that she composed several musical pieces bearing her husband’s name. These controversial claims were part of a TV documentary entitled “Written by Mrs Bach.” Some sources also claim she had to beg on the street for part of her support during the 14 years she survived her famous husband.
The current Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Annie Tinker Association for Women is R. Dyke Benjamin, classmate in HC ’59. He was Treasurer of that organization for a very long time, and despite his being male I think he deserves a lot of credit.
Thanks for sharing your story! I am from Kentucky now living in Annapolis, Maryland after sudden death of my best friend and husband in 1990. After his death moved to North Padre Island to save a little of our 30 years marriage. Used my money to go back to college facing abuse by the Catholic School system concerning my dyslexia which they didn’t know much about in the 50’s . Texas A & M in Corpus Christi, Texas had started a four year college. Finally got in because of my cousins grades who was deceased. Her credits came in on my name as we both had similar names Margaret Delaney and backgrounds. We didn’t use social security numbers back then. My cousins grades were excellent I didn’t have to take the ACCT test. When I talked to my adviser of course he was confused and finally I realized what had happened. I wanted to keep the grades but I knew I was going back to college to understand me and to learn. I received my BFA degree in 2001. I am writing this to you because I was always impressed with you standing up to the Bingham family. PS if there are mistakes in this comments please overlook them. I still have dyslexia. Thank you for all the support you have given back and the many women in Louisville you opened so many doors.
Sallie,
This is great news and, though MS declined to include a few of your stories, your mark on literature and feminism is clearly visible throughout these fifty years. I am particularly proud of your bravery and the many gifts you’ve given to keep this movement going. Big love and gratitude, dear one.
Sarah