Your Thoughts
On Page 23 of the Spring 2023 issue, Trailblazing Maine Women article. Could you tell me why Maine poet Edna St. Vincent Millay was not included? I consider her poetry just as important to history as Harriet Beecher Stowe's book.
-Doris Nieman
MWM response:
We agree that the poetry of Maine-born writer Edna St. Vincent Millay is an important part of history. Unfortunately, we couldn’t include every pioneering woman from Maine in the timeline - thank you for reminding us all to think of her when recalling historic Maine women!
Thank you for including the "Postcards from Holly" column in your winter magazine. I was pleased to note that she is in New Zealand. She always has interesting information about where she is staying or where she has visited. I hope she continues to keep us all up to date on her travels. Again, thank you.
-Marcia Blake
I was disappointed that you didn't include Sarah “Sally” Sayward Barrell Keating Wood in your timeline of trailblazing women from Maine. She was born in York in 1759, the daughter of British Army Officer Nathanial Barrell and Sarah Sayward Barrell, whose father was a local judge. She wrote four novels in total, one collection of tales, and is considered not only Maine's first female novelist but the first female author in America of gothic fiction. She passed away in 1855. Her childhood home still stands in York today, known as the Barrell Homestead. Just wanted to share this tidbit with you!
Sincerely,
Drea Donaghue
MWM response:
Thanks so much for sharing, Drea. We regret that we overlooked Sarah “Sally” Sayward Barrell Keating Wood in the timeline. We wish we could’ve included every magnificent Maine woman! Thank you for bringing light to her work!
