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"They Say," The Boston Advocate, Jan 8, 1887
In this edition of "They Say," Bert Islew informs her readers, among others,
"That two pretty light complexioned girls were asked by a lady in one of the large dry goods stores of what nationality they were. That she has conceded to the idea that…
"Personal and Pertinent" and "Wants Woman's Department," New York Age, 23 Feb. 1889
This page from The New York Age contains a letter to the editor by a female reader who would like to see Getrude Mossell's column "Woman's Department" made a permanent feature of the newspaper. Under "Personal and Pertinent," readers find short…
Gertrude Mossell
Gertrude Mossell, also known as Mrs. N.F. Mossell (1855-1948), was one of the most influental Black female journalists and editors of the late nineteenth century. She wrote, among others, for Indianapolis World, Woman's Era, Colored American…
"They Say," The Boston Advocate, Dec 4, 1886
Example of Lillian A. Lewis' society news column "They Say," written under her pseudonym "Bert Islew" for The Boston Advocate (and distinghuished as such from reprints from other publications through the sub-heading "specially reported for the…
"Women as Journalists" - Feature in The Freeman. A National Colored Weekly Newspaper, Feb 23, 1889.
The article, marked as a reprint from The New York Journalist, describes several Black women's careers and achievements as journalists, among them Gertrude Mossell and Lillian A. Lewis. Author Lucy Wilmot Smith begins by highlighting the neglect of…
"Sonner Hurt Than Healed," The National Anti-Slavery Standard, Feb 25, 1854
In this anonymous account, the narrator warns her readers about asking for and relying on gossip when moving to a new neighborhood. She herself makes the mistake of inquiring about people she has met during her walks, when she dines with an old…
"Adress on Woman's Rights," The National Anti-Slavery Standard, Sep 16, 1852
"Address on Woman's Rights," adopted by The Woman's Rights convention assembled a week earlier and printed here in The National Anti-Slavery Standard, includes an argument against restricting women to the private sphere and limiting them to such…
"Our Literary Women" and "Personal," The Freeman, Jan 5, 1889
This excerpt from The Freeman shows, on the left, a feature on "The Literary Colored Women of America" written by Gertrude Mossell (including illustrations of Josephine Heard, Ida B. Wells, Mary Ella Mossell, and Francis Ellen Watkins Harper) and, on…
"They Say," The Boston Advocate, Sep 11, 1886
In this edition of "They Say," Bert Islew informs her readers, among others,
"That Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe is in ill health"
"That the son of Jay Gould, who has been visiting Saratoga, was not introduced to any young lady while there, and…
"Our Woman's Department," New York Freeman, Jan 9, 1886
This is an exemple of of Gertrude Mossell's "Our Woman's Department," written for New York Freeman, one of the earliest advice columns specifically dedicated to Black women. Above each version, Mossell informs her readers that this column "will be…
Lillian A. Lewis
Lillian A. Lewis was one of the first women to make a name for herself as a columnist in Black newspapers. Her Column "They Say" appeared first in The Boston Advocate throughout the 1880s. In the 1890s, she became "the society editress of the Boston…
"They Say," The Boston Advocate, Jan 15, 1887
In this edition of "They Say," Bert Islew informs her readers, among others,
"That it is undeniable fact that white kid slippers and very light hose give the foot of any lady very large appearance."
"That a certain gentleman who attends the…
"They Say," The Boston Advocate, Jan 22, 1887
In this edition of "They Say," Bert Islew informs her readers, among others,
"That the great tower which is to be erected at the entrance to the grounds of the Paris Exposition this year will be 984 feet high -- more than three times the height of…
"They Say," The Boston Advocate, Nov 6, 1886
In this edition of "They Say," Bert Islew informs her readers, among others,
"That when a woman wants to repair damages she uses a pin. That when a man wants to repair damages he spends two hours and a half trying to thread a needle."
"That in…
"They Say," The Boston Advocate, Nov 13, 1886
In this edition of "They Say," Bert Islew informs her readers, among others,
"That it is well to remember that what you don't know may be of more interest to the world than what you do know."
"That Bert Islew has 'caught on' Augustie."
"That the…
"They Say," The Boston Advocate, Nov 27, 1886
In this edition of "They Say," Bert Islew informs her readers, among others,
"That the dresses of all the lady artists were handsome. That white cashmere and white satin were the prevailing costumes."
"That Theodore Roosevelt is a brave man. That…
"They Say," The Boston Advocate, Oct 9, 1886
In this edition of "They Say," Bert Islew informs her readers, among others,
"That Edward Solomon, the composer and husband, of Lillian Russell, was arrested in London last week, charged with bigamy."
"That Matthews, a colored democrat, is…
"They Say," The Boston Advocate, Oct 16, 1886
In this edition of "They Say," Bert Islew informs her readers, among others,
"That Robert Smalls, the negro statesman, has been elected to Congress, five times. That he will no doubt secure his sixth election in November."
"That Fred Douglass and…
"They Say," The Boston Advocate, Oct 23, 1886
In this edition of "They Say," Bert Islew informs her readers, among others,
"That a well known young lady was looking for an earthquake last week."
"That Miss Cleveland has been a failure as an editor. That she will sever her connection with the…
"They Say," The Boston Advocate, Oct 30, 1886
In this edition of "They Say," Bert Islew informs her readers, among others,
"That Robt Ingersoll cannot recover from the throat trouble with which he is ill."
"That if there were no Boston ADVOCATE, society would go mad with ennui."
"That the…
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Charlotte Cushman
Charlotte Cushman becomes widely known on both sides of the Atlantic as the first successful US-American actress. Earlier, she was a singer under the tutelage of James G. Maeder, married to actress Clara Fisher, in Boston. Charlotte has been the sole financial support of her mother since her father…