I think it only makes sense to start by setting my intentions.

For almost my entire life, I have considered myself to be a history buff. It was always my favorite subject in school, and I reveled in remembering the names and accomplishments of the (mostly) men who were celebrated in my history books. It wasn’t until my great-grandpa – the last of 3 great-grandparents that I knew in my life – passed away in December 2016 that I began to wonder about my own history.

It seems wrong that I should know so much about men whose “accomplishments” often resulted in violence and oppression, but so little about the individuals whose accomplishments enabled me to become the first person in three generations of my family to graduate from college.

My intention with this blog is to celebrate my grandmas, their experiences, their families, and the joy they brought into my life and the world in general. While they might not end up in any history textbooks, these four women have had a profound and lasting impact on their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I think that deserves to be known.