I am PASSIONATE about history as a source of information and inspiration. 

But I am also PURPOSEFUL about history because, used strategically, it can PROFIT you, your business, or organization in ways you can't even imagine. 

That's what we do at History Smiths: We find those connections for you -- connections that benefit you AND the communities you serve.  

Check us out, be inspired, and be in touch!

-Bonnie Hurd Smith, CEO

The article below is another in my series about business and life lessons we can learn from highly successful women in history. This time, the artist Edmonia Lewis who you may never have heard of but you will never forget her!

Meanwhile, I have a quick personal story I wanted to share on this subject!

Last week at Simmons College, I debuted some of the material from my forthcoming book, "We Believe in You!" - Women's Wisdom from the Ages. I had been asked by my former professor, who is still a friend and colleague after 20 years (which is so special!), to speak for her Seminar on the History of Women and Gender. There, I met about 20 bright, engaged young women juniors, seniors, and graduate students.

I was officially there to talk about Judith Sargent Murray and her legacy. But after about two hours into the three-hour seminar, I put up a slide that read, "That's nice, but who cares?" Then we had a great conversation about the fact that girls aren't being taught women's history, and that teaching this material is about introducing them to themselves and NEVER accepting less than everything they want.

We discussed issues of self esteem, self doubt, opportunity, lack of money - and how knowing women's history can not only open up these kinds of conversations but it can also help explain so much about how we got here! There's so much inspiration in women's history, information, role models - when presented in certain ways, girls and young women "get" that "it's not them" and they are not alone.

The women at Simmons "got it" instantly! They saw how the dots connected, and they were grateful for some very honest talk. (I also gave them some unsolicited career advice, which they appreciated - and not the kind of advice they were getting at Career Counseling, I'm sure!)

This is such important, exciting work! I'm sure you want to be part of it!

And so, I invite you to:

· Learn more about my book here and order a copy to support the project.

· Use me! Please invite me to give a talk at your organization, business, or place of worship. It would be an honor, and you would be a hero.

Meanwhile, the news from Ipswich is that I keep encountering wild turkeys on my early morning walks. Such silly birds, and great fun, but do they know what's coming next month???   

Be well, and be in touch! 

Bonnie

P.S. Here's the quote Laurie Crumpacker sent me sent me after I spoke in her class. Was I ever proud! 

"Bonnie Smith is one of the best guest lecturers I have had in my class on Women and Gender in the US from 1790 to 1920. She gets us off to a good start by introducing Judith Sargent Murray without whom it is not possible to understand the roots of feminism in the US. Best of all, in addition to telling the story of Murray, the first feminist writer in the US,  she is also able to demonstrate her own superb scholarship  to the budding scholars and archivists in the class."