Fresh Air/NPR: 19th C Polygamy + Women's Activism

[Howl]

On January 17th, Terri Gross on Fresh Air (NPR) interviewed Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, author of "A House Full Of Females: Plural Marriage And Women's Rights In Early Mormonism." 

Quote

LAUREL THATCHER ULRICH: I think plural marriage empowered women in very complicated ways, and to put it most simply, it added to the complexity and the adversity they experienced. And we can argue that women who deal with tough things - or a man - develop certain strengths and aptitudes. It also reinforced an already well developed community of women to share work, to share childcare, to share religious faith, to share care in childbirth and in illness, in some sense strengthened bonds that were already very much present in their lives.

Click HERE  to read full text or listen to a podcast. 

[Italiangirl]

This is very interesting thanks

[Hummingbird]

Thank you for posting the link to the podcast. I've long admired Ulrich as a historian and am looking forward to reading her book.