(StatePoint) The nearly 13 million small businesses owned by women nationwide are essential to the U.S. economy. Accounting for 42% of U.S. small businesses, they employ nearly 9.4 million people and generate $1.9 trillion in revenue annually.
Mary Edwards Walker, the youngest of seven children, was born November 26, 1832 in Oswego, New York. Her parents raised their children to be “Free Thinkers”. Mary was the only female in her class to receive a medical degree from Syracuse Medical College, New York in 1855. She and classmate, Albert Miller, were married just before graduation. Mary insisted on omitting “Obey” from her wedding vows and retained her maiden name. Instead of a wedding dress she wore a short skirt with men’s trousers underneath. The newlyweds set up a medical practice in Rome, New York which failed. Shortly thereafter their marriage ended in divorce. Mary enrolled at Bowen Collegiate Institute, Hopkinton, Iowa. After joining the men’s only School Debating Society, the college expelled her for refusing to resign. Mary’s parents taught her women suffer from discomfort due to impaired mobility caused by their own apparel. Her clothing became functional instead of fashionable, a kneelength dress with a tight waist and full skirt over a pair of trousers with suspenders.
Virne Beatrice “Jackie” Mitchell was born on August 29, 1913 to Dr. Joseph and Virne Mitchell of Chattanooga, Tennessee. She was small and sickly and weighed in at less than five pounds. As soon as she could stand, Dr. Mitchell decided the best way to get her strong and healthy was to teach her to play baseball for exercise.
The Pittsburg Pirates entered Friday’s game with North Lamar needing a win to control their own playoff destiny. The Panthers are in the midst of a rough stretch, having won their first game in two years earlier this season and not having had a winning season since 2014. Still, a team has to play who’s on the schedule, and the Pirates needed to take care of business to improve their playoff hopes.
Pittsburg celebrated “Pink Out” night at the high school stadium Oct. 22. The stands were speckled with pink and the cheer team outdid themselves.
