User talk:Jo rae7

During Florence Harding’s time women had little to no rights, but thanks to Florence for being an intelligent, ambitious, women’s rights activist she was able to make her way into a man’s world and gain respect there. Florence attended the Union school here in Marion and graduated high school at 16 years old. She then attended Cincinnati Conservatory of Music for a year. Florence studied classical piano for years while she was in Marion and stated that her intentions for going to Cincinnati Conservatory was to become an internationally recognized concert pianist. While she was in school she worked as a store clerk and rent collector. Later she became a piano teacher charging 25 cents an hour. When Florence was nineteen years old she eloped with Henry DeWolfe. At the time they met the Ohio common law marriage requirements. After giving birth to her only son, Henry DeWolfe abandoned them. In 1886, although it was frowned upon at the time, she filed for divorce. Without realizing it Florence was a social activist as well. On July 8th 1891 Florence married Warren G. Harding in the home they built together. Warren G. Harding was the owner of the Marion Star, and in 1894 he went for medical help in Battle Creek, Michigan. While he was gone, Florence used her management and leadership skills to take over the struggling business and turned it into a booming newspaper. She did this by mapping out service routes to provide delivery to homes and businesses. And although Mrs. Harding did not write or edit the stories she did make editorial decisions and would often tell the workers what they should write about or who they should interview. Florence also hired Jane Dixon who was the first women reporter in the state of Ohio. Through Florence’s strong leadership and confidence, she was able to push Warren into politics. While Warren was state senator and lieutenant governor Florence managed his social and political contacts, finances, public remarks, and even his clothing. It has also been said that she may have written Warren’s inaugural speech since she mouthed several of the passages. After Warren won the presidential election in 1920 Florence reopened the white house and was always holding social events such as elegant garden parties and even invited some Girl Scouts over for milk and cookies. Florence was a very outspoken woman especially about her political views. She spoke out against the League of Nation and for Women’s suffrage. Florence was also within the first group of women allowed to vote in a presidential election. Florence was anxious to help the women of the country understand their government. Therefore she invited women political groups, women federal workers, girls graduating from high school, college girls, African American girls, and even divorced women to social events at the white house. She was an inspiration to young girls also. To the Campfire Girls Florence wrote ‘the part that women play in the world has been greatly changed… it has broadened and enlarged and we will all be wise to recognize that a larger consideration for the health and physical advancement of girls will better fit them for the role they must assume.’ To the Girl Scouts she said, ‘Let us, as in the past, persist in overcoming all obstacles. No matter what the sacrifice may be we must proceed with the great up building work because the girls of America, and our country through them, need the fine, wholesome and stimulating influence of the Scouts.’ Florence Harding died November 21st 1924 but still lives on today as a remarkable woman who set standards for women and girls all throughout the world. Many people aspired to be just like her, and through her kind and ambitious actions she has become an excellent role model even for today’s young ladies and will always be remembered for generations to come.

Jo rae7 (talk) 00:29, 21 March 2013 (UTC)Joslyn