Giving thanks

She’s best known for a ditty that young children sing but she was an activist who made sure that there was a national day of thanksgiving.

Sarah Josepha Hale (opens in a new window) lived in the 19th century, wrote the poem, “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and other works for adults. She also wanted to make Thanksgiving a consistent celebration in all states.

Hale urged numerous U.S. Presidents over the course of more than a decade to do so. But it was Abraham Lincoln (opens in a new window) who saw the value in unifying a country engaged in a civil war and declared Thanksgiving a holiday to be celebrated across the country on the same day.

There’s still value in coming together to remember all that there is to be thankful for.

We may find A Little Peace (opens in a new window) in unexpected places; after all we have One World, One Day (opens in a new window). Thanksgiving can be a time to build memories of when The Relatives Came (opens in a new window) or remember 1621: A New Thanksgiving (opens in a new window).

So Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving (opens in a new window) — it was your tenacity that helped bring the country together for a day and to whom we owe this week’s celebration!