Who were “New Women” a hundred years ago? — flappers,?
A hundred-year-old church cookbook from Alpena, Michigan had a different definltion. This fun poem was at the beginning of the Desserts and Puddings chapter. Alpena is on Lake Huron in northeastern Michigan.
A Hundred Years Ago 
Love that poem! I must come back and read other comments, because I do not interpret poetry, leaving that to the experts on verse.
I’m also not a poetry expert, but agree that it’s a fun poem.
That was brilliant! And as relevant today as it was then.
I’m often amazed how relevant some things from a hundred years ago are today. I’m also sometimes surprised about how much some other things have changed.
The brewing line. . . in the thick of Prohibition, is interesting.
Brewing coffee?
I love it! It shows such confidence and optimism!
Yes! It’s very upbeat.
There is an interesting article about the New Woman at Wikipedia, complete with photographs and graphics! The term was used in 1894 by an Irish writer, referring to “Independent women seeking radical change” and further emerged from there. I think I will order my “bicycle waist” for my next cycling venture. Cool post, Sheryl!
Order two – I’d also like a “bicycle waist.” 🙂
😎
Hehe! I’m pretty sure the brewing was for coffee! This poem is a delight!
I also took “brewing” to mean brewing coffee – though you never can tell. 🙂
Well, she has a lot of home-making talents, but … doesn’t mention anything else 😦
I had a similar impression. The poem’s message seemed somewhat retro in an era when the suffragettes had recently had major successes, and flappers were redefining what women could do. Maybe the peom was a reaction to a more generally accepted definition of “new woman.”
Margaret21 you must be on to something.
I agree!
Clever poem with a fun pace.
I bet that the author had fun witing it.
Very charming!
It’s a fun poem.
I grew up just an hour south of Alpena, Michigan! This is so cute:)
I bought the cookbook that contained this poem off Ebay. I thought the the name, The Cement City Cook Book” seemed very unusual, so I googled Alpena. I was surprised to discover that cement is still being manufactured there – just as it has been for more than a hundrd years.
Yes! Cement related to the limestone and calcite quarries, I believe. My uncle worked for many years at the calcite quarry, which is about an hour north of Alpena in Rogers City.
There is a large bulk hauling ship in the Great Lakes named after this city that is part of the laker fleet. Alpena and other city ports in the Great Lakes had wonderful economies in the first half of the 20th century. It is wonderful that a local cookbook from 1920’s let us see a peek into their lives. Thanks for sharing.