JPK Huson 1863
Brev. Brig. Gen'l
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2012
- Location
- Central Pennsylvania
A huge part of allure for ladies riding was the ' costume ', heavily advertised in ladies' magazines, an ultra feminine concoction whose flowing skirts, foaming lace and stylish hat betokened one's cutting edge fashion sense. And one's acceptance of social norms.
Dr. Harriet Austin was an era newsmaker. One of our ' bloomer ' wearing intellectuals, she was physician, author, social activist and general raiser of heck for causes. Unlike her professional, pants-wearing peer, Dr. Mary Walker, Harriet seems to have escaped History's scorn. No idea why, they shared the same tendencies to outrage convention, care for unfortunates and champion women's rights. Born in 1825, by the time of the war she was qualified and in full cry. It'll take a thread to do her justice, this is just by way of introduction.
Dr. Harriet Neely Austin heavily endorsed the Dress Reform Movement, first embracing the bloomer style. It was a determination to not be confined, not a deliberate attempt to outrage. Unsurprising to see this article.
This would have riled things up a bit. We've had threads on sidesaddle riding and discussions on those peculiar ( in their day ) females who rode astride. Now a doctor is prescribing astride riding on the grounds of one's health.
1863
Unsure who Dr. Jackson may be, bless him for working with consumptives. TB baffled doctors for as long as it took to invent antibiotics. He seems a little lukewarm on the idea, in case we girls got carried away. next thing you know, we'd be demanding the vote.
It'd be awhile before Dr. Harriet got her point across. We'd been at this awhile.