Talk:Esther de Berdt
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Esther de Berdt Reed was also the Author of Sentiments of an American Woman which encouraged women of that time period to no longer spend money on extravagant clothing and hair (which they were then modeling after artistocratic European culture) and instead donate their money to the revolution. Esther's orignal plan for the money was for it to be divided between the troops as rewards or bonuses. After raising the money with the newly named "Ladies Association", they were to send it to Martha Washington but it was then forwarded to George Washington who insisted it be spent on new shirts for the soldiers. Esther then retorted by saying that shirts were something the government was supposed to be supplying the troops with and she wanted the funds to be a bonus to the soldiers, a kind of pat-on-the-back from those back home. George Washington still persisted and then even suggested the women sew the shirts themselves to use the money most efficiently. She finally gave in and the women sewed their names inside the shirts as an act of patriotism. Thus, they were then dubbed "General Washington's Sewing Circle".
All of my information came from a history professor at the University of Minnesota and I hope it can be of help to whomever may be curious about this charismatic woman.
24.94.194.216 04:01, 19 October 2006 (UTC)
