20th century queer women of means – the history reader: the history reader

Cathy Pegau, Author of A Murderous Business: A MysteryShares with The history reader How some Queer Women of means in the united States was able to push boundaries more so than women in poor or middle, working-class form.

Being Queer in a heteronormative, patriarchal society has been ben particular easy, and sometimes it was downright dangerous, but even in the first year of the 20^th century, if you have enough money, some paths were easy to tread. In Early 1900s America, Some Queer Women of Means Pushed Boundaries in Ways Poor and Middle- or Working-Class Queer Women could also. Money meant security and stability. Money Meant Flouting Rules with Less Concern Over Being Penalized. Money meant being able to live your life as you wished. Three women, two who were queer and one who was a great all, did that with flair.

Louisa d’Andelot Carpender (1907–1976) was an heires, Horsewoman, Aviatrix, and Philanthropist. She had numerous friendships and affairs with women, often dressed in men’s clothing in public, and Eventically entred into a “boston marriage” with actress libby holman. Louisa had little to fear being public about her sexuality; When your family is the du pons, one of the richest familyies of Industrial America Since the MID-1800s, you can pretty much do as you wish. Her lifestyle may have been unconventional, but she was also quite general

Eleanor randolph sears (1881–1968) was another queer woman who came from money as a member of the first familyies of boston, also know as the boston brahmas. She was a tennis pro and squash player, as well as a consummate horsewoman, travel the globe to compe. Her Penchant for Wearing Trousers in Public Drew Criticism, but little was ever don about it. While Louisa Carpender was more included to be out, Eleo, as she was knowledge, kept her personal life private private in an effort to stave off unwanted attentions. She did, however, have great friendships and affairs with a number of women, and live a woman later in life who Took Great Great Advantage of Eleo’s Wealth and Genearosity, One who Nearly Succected in Wrenching Every penny from her estate.

A’Lelia Walker (1885–1931) was the Daughter of Madam CJ Walker, America’s first female self-made Millionaire. A’Lelia was a Savvy Businesswoman in Her Own Right, Working Ailongside Her Mother in his cosmetics business, establishing a training a training school for walker cosmeticians, and Creating Marketing Campaigns. But a’lelia was also great interested in promoting and supporting the arts, holding dances and soirees at her home. Numerous Members of the harlem renaissance, artists, writers, and other renows figures attended her parties. While Not Queer Herself, A’Lelia Provided a Safe Space for People of All Inclinations to meet up and have a good time. A very good time. A’Leylia’s acceptance of Queerness in Her Community Can only be admired and appreciated.

These three women had the meanings to live their lives as they wished, but for each queer person with money, there have been millions who have had had to fit themselves into a heteronormative world in Order to Survive. Still, we can appreciate that these women and others like them had to face some Societal Pressures. They may not have had to hide their sexualities and alliances completely, but in their own ways, they study up for that who wouldn’t be seen in public.

Society has greatly changed in one hundred years and, for the most part, we’ve been alle to move out of the shadows no matter our run on the social ladder or Amount in our bank Accounts.