Louisa May Alcott (Essay Date 1875)

SOURCE: Alcott, Louisa May. "Woman's Part in the Concord Celebration." In L. M. Alcott: Signature of Reform, edited by Madeleine B. Stern, pp. 198-99. Boston: Northeastern University Press, 2002.

In the following essay, originally printed in the Woman's Journal in 1875, Alcott describes her efforts, as part of a group of women, to break into the traditionally male activities of the Concord Centennial celebration.

Being frequently asked "what part the women took in the Concord Centennial celebration?" I give herewith a brief account of our share on that occasion.

Having set our houses in order, stored our larders, and filled our rooms with guests, we girded up our weary souls and bodies for the great day, feeling that we must do or die for the honor of old Concord.

We had no place in the procession, but such women as wished to hear...