Powerful Voices

Patriots’ Week offers a rich look at the role women took in shaping America.

By: Susan Van Dongen
   George Washington may be the father of our country, but perhaps he wouldn’t have won so many hearts and minds if it hadn’t been for "the little woman."
   Before she was officially the first First Lady, Martha Washington campaigned on her husband’s behalf, especially during the Revolutionary War — coming to see him when he camped with the troops, making the soldiers feel at home.
   "She was beloved by everyone," says historical interpreter Stacy Roth. "She was very down to earth and made other people comfortable. When someone like Washington is commanding an army, he would really need a support person at his side to accomplish what he did, even if he was a great man himself. Martha made it possible for him to do what he did by taking care of his business and home."
   In her research, Ms. Roth found this again and again — the famous male names of the American Revolution had extraordinary women by their sides.
   "It was the men who were thrown into the glory spot with most of the activities of the Revolution, but certainly this couldn’t be achieved without the support of the other half of the population," she says.
   She’ll be at Gallery 125 in Trenton Dec. 26 to give the rich and often wry presentation The Distaff Muse: The Qualities of Women in the 18th Century, just one in an array of events and activities in Trenton during Patriots’ Week, Dec. 26 to 30. It’s a celebration of the city’s role in the birth of America — maybe the only weeklong festival that is all about the American Revolution. Lectures, tours, concerts, comedy, food and tea tastings, re-enactments, gala balls and film are all part of the festivities.
   Ms. Roth, who did an interpretation of Molly Pitcher during last year’s Patriots’ Week, explores women’s thoughts about life, love, politics and war in a time of revolution, through songs, poetry, prose and quotations.
   "I love to look for the most humorous excerpts I can find," Ms. Roth says. "So most of the program is really very humorous — it’s not this dry, illustrated lecture. Maybe my aim is to point out that people of the past had a sense of humor."
   Much of the information about life during those times comes through songs Ms. Roth has collected, from folk, popular and theater traditions. They illustrate the struggles, triumphs and private thoughts of women, both renowned and little known, with a special emphasis on the women of New Jersey. A Burlington resident, Ms. Roth accompanies herself on guitar, penny whistle and concertina.
   Ms. Roth also will be at Gallery 125 Dec. 28 for The History of Tea, the tour-de-force in her repertoire of historical interpretations. The presentation, which also includes songs, quotations and poetry, asks whether Great Britain lost the American Colonies over "the cup that cheers." Guests are invited to stay for freshly brewed tea and sweets from 18th century recipes, but are requested to bring their own "genteel" teacup — not a mug.
   In fact, tea also plays a part in The Distaff Muse, as Ms. Roth reflects on the subtle but substantial economic and therefore political clout women held during the Revolution and the years that preceded it. It was the lady of the house who made the decisions about what products would be purchased and it was she who could say, "No, we’re not going to buy imported or tea or textiles from Britain." That kicked the king where it hurt.
   "The economic boycotts that took place when all those items were taxed in 1767 wouldn’t have been pulled off unless you had the female population supporting it," Ms. Roth says. "Even if they are not the ones actively earning the income, they’re making it possible for the income to be earned by supporting the home and they’re making the decisions about how that money is spent in the home.
   "They’re also being outspoken about their feelings on the issue, for example writing to newspapers, gathering petitions or writing to Parliament," she continues. "They’re not being quiet about it. Having a nation that is creating itself will naturally create more opportunities for women to act as their own agents politically as well as economically."
   In addition, because the war was in their backyards, women were more involved than they were in America’s foreign wars, where mostly male fighting forces were sent overseas.
   "During the Revolutionary War, often women took action to further their political cause by spying — bringing information to armies on both sides," Ms. Roth says.
   After listening to Ms. Roth embody her female characters from the 18th century, you’ll have a very different perception of the ladies from that era — they were not passive and fragile. She humorously adds that, although genteel society might stress that nary a negative thought or word pass through a lady’s mind or lips, there was still plenty of kvetching going on.
   "It’s expressed through the things women write about," she says. "Our view is that women of the 18th century are these obedient creatures who are happy with their sphere but what I’ve found is that they complain about it all the time to each other."
The Distaff Muse: The Qualities of Women in the 18th Century, with historical
interpreter Stacy Roth, will be held at Gallery 125, 125 S. Warren St., Trenton,
Dec. 26, 3 p.m. Free admission. Ms. Roth will also host the discussion History
of Tea at Gallery 125, Dec. 28, 2:30 p.m. Admission costs $15. Both events
are part of Patriots’ Week, Dec. 26-30, at locations throughout Trenton. For information,
call (877) 728-9335. On the Web: www.patriotsweek.com.
Ms. Roth can be reached at (609) 239-2706 or by e-mail at [email protected]