Thank you, Sarah - The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving

Sarah J. Hale

The influencer of her time is widely recognized as the woman who saved Thanksgiving.

Sarah Josepha Hale was a courageous woman who, in her time, worked hard to fight for rights that we might take for granted today. She strived to revive the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving the way it began back in the 1600s. But in the early 1800s, the practice had faded, and presidents and congress did not think it necessary to declare Thanksgiving a day of celebrating.

Hale was an educated woman whose parents believed in the education of both sexes. Her husband, a lawyer, also supported her scholarly endeavors. After his early death, she set out to write poetry to help support her five children. She is the author of Mary Had a Little Lamb and was a successful editor of Godey's Lady's Book, which covered everything from women's education and supported causes like abolition.  

Writing poetry paid the bills

Hale’s famous poem, Mary Had a Little Lamb way one way she supported her five children after her husband’s early death.

Hale used her power of the pen to persuade presidents and congress to set aside one day of Thanksgiving. No one budged in the 35 years she tried, but she did not give up. Finally, in 1863 with the United States was deep into the Civil War, President Lincoln took notice and signed into action "A National Day of Thanksgiving and Praise." 

After trying for 35 years

to have Thanksgiving declared a national holiday, President Lincoln responded positively in five days.

She retired as an editor the next year and died two years later at the age of 92. I read a book called Thank You, Sarah, by Laurie Halse Anderson to my students around this time of year to let them hear the story of this courageous woman whose perseverance and strong beliefs helped her make magical things happen. Sarah Hale's story is an inspiration for all ages.

Laurie Halse Anderson’s book Thank You, Sarah is a good way for young and old alike to learn about the “Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving.

We hope you enjoyed this mini history lesson.

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Photos by the National Archives, Laurie Halse Anderson, and Google Images.