Fundraising with Tatting

The text below was sent to me in a Tatting at Bella On-line newsletter.

The first all women's fundraiser was initiated by Sarah Josepha Buell Hale, 1788-1879, editor of "Ladies' Magazine" (1828 to 1837 when it merged with Godey's magazine) and editor of "Godey's Lady Book" until 1877. Wealthy Bostonians had begun to raise funds for the Bunker Hill Monument in 1822. Famous men such as Daniel Webster and Marquis de Lafayette endorsed the project. However, by 1830 all there was to show for the men's efforts was pile of granite blocks.

Mrs. Hale was much in favor of the monument. With the aid of a few prominent women socialites and her magazine subscribers, she was able to raise $3,000. Not a great sum, but it came from 3,000 donations of $1.00 each. And that shows the power of women even then.

Still the project leaders were unable to complete the monument. In 1840, Mrs. Hale, now editor of "Godey's Lady Book" with a much larger subscription base, put out a call for women to participate in a (the first?) women's fair. In many parts of the USA women banded together to knit, crochet, quilt (and surely tat) lovely items to be sold along with jams and jellies. Mrs. Hales effort raised $30,000. The Bunker Hill monument was completed in 1843. And women have been raising funds with their needlework and baked goods ever since.

This just goes to show the power of women – especially Tatters! So, in celebration of all women and all tatters who use their knotting skills to fundraise, I am inspired to do the same. If you support me in my efforts to fundraise for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure I will mail a pink “Cute as a Button” tatted angel to you as a special thank you gift.

When you donate to me online, I can’t see your credit card number or any of your personal information. So please take a moment to complete the “personal note to the participant” section of the online donation form so I know your hoping to meet your pink angel soon.

Thank you for supporting my fundraising efforts!