Rouge That Doesn’t Rub Off and Serving Dinner in a Dress
Every time I travel back to Lonesome Prairie, I am so acutely aware of its appropriate name. Growing up there didn’t seem all that lonely, as it was what we knew, and of course, school and activities made a difference. I respect the women who live in these remote areas and I think of their unique challenges when it comes to healthcare, childcare, connections, and the multitude of tasks on their plates. It makes me grateful for the farm and ranch women who paved the way.
My mom told me a story about my grandmother Ellen, a dairy wife in central Wisconsin. From my understanding and recollection, one day my grandma went to make a phone call, and at the time, their telephone was on a party line. She picked up the phone to hear other women excitedly chatting about “Ellen wearing rouge” (or was it lipstick?) and it seemed to be quite the topic of conversation. It wasn’t necessarily “usual” or perhaps even a bit “risqué” for a 1940’s Wisconsin dairy wife to wear makeup in public. My grandma had sampled some makeup at the local drugstore and found out that it didn’t rub off…so she had to wear it until it wore off, and in doing so, left quite a wake in social circles. What is now a chuckle was a big deal back then, apparently!
My grandmother Marion on my dad’s side of the family memorialized some of her history on paper and we are so fortunate to have it today. Being a farm wife in the 1930’s and 1940’s in north central Montana was not for the faint of heart. Many things we take for granted today simply didn’t exist back then--microwaves, take-and-bake pizza, washing machines, central heating and air conditioning, etc. The list goes on and on. She described how her days could include field work. Of course, not having a tractor cab meant exposure to all elements including wind, cold, heat, noise and dirt. My grandpa was on the other end of the farm doing field work or some other chores, so he didn’t have the ability to watch the kids, either. Back then, daycare was not an option, so my uncle would sit on one fender, my dad on the other fender, and my aunt, the youngest, in her lap. Oh, and no power steering, either, and do all of this and make sure no one falls off and gets hurt or worse. After field work, she then tended to the chickens and gathered eggs as they had an egg route. Then came the dinnertime meal prep. She would get dinner ready, then change into a dress, as my grandpa liked her to wear a dress at dinnertime. I should’ve asked her more about if she wore jewelry, how fancy her shoes were with the dress, etc., but didn’t think to do so at the time. I’m sure she did a speedy sponge bath when she changed clothes but even the luxury of a quick shower was nonexistent.
As I was compiling ideas for this column, I came across information about the Women’s Land Army. During World War I, many young men left farms and ranches to join the service or work in higher-paying jobs that supported the war effort. This created a void on farms and ranches. The idea started in Britain where women were trained for agricultural work. Taking this cue, one of the most influential programs in the United States came from Barnard College in 1917, where the Women’s Land Army in America (WLAA) was formed. Women paid a fee for this training, and as such, were from mostly middle- and upper-class backgrounds. The WLAA was set up in 40 states and the District of Columbia. It’s believed that between 15,000-20,000 women took part. President Wilson supported these efforts, but they were not provided with federal dollars. Instead, these efforts were supported by private contributions and women’s organizations. Women who joined this program were known as “farmerettes.” A benefit for all is that this organization helped lay the foundation for equal pay and eight-hour workdays. At first, these women were looked upon skeptically, but they proved themselves capable and successful. After the war ended, there was a desire to continue the program, but funding challenges were too great, and it disbanded in 1920.
All of these women defined their days by endurance and proved their worth. The success, continuation, and vibrancy of today’s American farms and ranches would be non-existent were it not for their efforts. They left us with a legacy of strength that still echoes today.
Come with me, grandmothers. Let’s go shopping for some makeup and eat dinner in a restaurant tonight. My treat.
For more information on the Ask In Earnest initiative, go to http://www.askinearnest.org. Darla Tyler-McSherry, Founder and Visionary of Ask In Earnest, can be reached at askinearnest@hotmail.com.