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Show Teacher, Club Woman, Mother 185 that men and women ought to use their intelligence and cre ativity to make a better, more productive life. Although we should maintain a worshipful attitude toward culturally respect ed objects and maxims, we may also adopt fresh views and habits. We are co-partners with God as creator. We all have an obligation to increase our awareness, steer an independent course, prepare ourselves to become creators in the world to fol low. Madelyn crusaded against blind obedience-always believ ing everything men in authority declared, always following dic tated practice. The poem was one way of teaching this princi ple to Elizabeth, as she no doubt did to Barnard, Judith, and Brian. a Elizabeth's eighteenth birthday inspired joy and gladness, the death of her Aunt Annie Cannon later in the year brought sadness and reminiscence. Annie's appreciation of womanhood had prompted the organization of the Bee Hive Girls." She was a member of the General Board of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association for forty years, and editor of the Young Woman's Journal for five years. She attended meetings of the National Council of Women as a representative of Mormon women and served as Salt Lake County Deputy Recorder for many years. She had helped Madelyn in many ways-as a girl, as a young woman, as a teacher, and as a friend. And in recent years, Madelyn had given her a monthly support check, just as she did with her own mother. Madelyn was particularly grate ful for Aunt Annie's letters. On one of Aunt Annie's birthdays, Madelyn had written her: I'd like to pay a little tribute to your card and letter writ ing. It is like a little private publication for the select few of the family. You tell us all the news vital or comic or gossipy. You keep us informed as to the family fortunes and emotions. Through your communications we feel the pulsebeat of our whole family life, what it is, colored by what it has been. It has become a habit to look for an issue in every mail, and to be disappointed when we don't get one. It has become so important in our lives that it would be hard to live without it, a strengthening elixir of sweetness and spice." |
