Mercy Otis Warren: Early American mother, author and role model

FoxNews ^ | May 10, 2014 | Walter R. Borneman

[Pharmboy]

My daughter faced a personal crisis last week as she started back to work after a three-month maternity leave. She loves her profession as a pediatric dentist, but how could she possibly leave the little person who appears to grow and change by the minute? A ten-hour day away loomed as half a lifetime.

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As women still struggle with how to "do it all" in terms of work and family, Mercy Otis Warren is an inspiring example of an early American woman who successfully faced this challenge.

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What they might be surprised to learn, is that just as there are strong role models today, there are also women who faced similar challenges juggling their passions for both professional and personal fulfillment more than two centuries ago.

A case in point was Mercy Otis Warren, one of the leading figures of the American Revolution and one of the first American women to have a strong career as a published author and mentor to other women while being a mother and managing home and family.

Mercy was born in West Barnstable on Cape Cod in 1728, the third child and first daughter of James and Mary Otis. Her father was a merchant, attorney, and local judge who prospered sufficiently to send his sons to Harvard. In that day, such a path was unthinkable for Mercy, but she learned to read and write and sharpened her wit in freewheeling political discussions...

When Mercy, at age twenty-six, married James Warren and moved to Plymouth, she was almost an old maid by the standards of the day and James, at twenty-eight, was an aspiring merchant with political ambitions. Mercy bore five healthy sons over nine years and her focus was what was expected of colonial women: home, hearth, and husband.

[Pharmboy]

Thanks to Black Agnes for pointing me towards this excellent piece. I was a day late and a dollar short on this as I was away this weekend for youngest daughter's college graduation.

[Pharmboy]

Again, thank you Black Agnes

Mother's Day was a wonderful time to read about Mercy Otis Warren. An amazing woman and Patriot.

The RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list

[Coldwater Creek]

Congratulations to your daughter.

[Pharmboy]

Thank you very much...and though we were cringing at the thought of the usual type of commencement speaker (4 years ago an older daughter of mine graduated U of Michigan and it was Obama), at William and Mary yesterday it was Sgt First Class Leroy Petry, US Army Ranger and Medal of Honor winner. And my son is a US Army Ranger.

Incredible day all around.

[Coldwater Creek]

Perfect!!

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Congratulations to you and your daughter. Our youngest graduated a year ago last Friday -- it is WONDERFUL to be through with tuition payments.

Thanks for posting this short article about Mercy Owen Warren...it's a wonderful tribute to her on Mother's Day. Her History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution vol. 1 [1805] is available by the Online Library of Liberty in three formats: Facsimile PDF (22.9 MB), Ebook PDF (1.08 MB), and HTML (1.32 MB).

[Pharmboy]

Thank you for your kind words and for the information about Mercy Otis Warren’s book. Much appreciated.

[colorado tanker]

Congratulations on the graduation and thanks for this piece.

Hey, forget Obammy, you can still cheer Go Blue!

[Pharmboy]

Yep...and we do!