my etude

Quotes from the Testimonials section of various issues of The Etude (people wrote in to praise the magazine or other Presser publications).  I'm using some of these in the thesis.  *Notice they were all written by women.*

At this point in time, after spending at least five years reading this magazine, the last year (or two) formulating this scholarship, and especially the last two months devoted to pulling this document together, these testimonials pretty much sum up my thoughts on the magazine.

"No words can express how much I like The Etude." 

Alvena E. Schroeder (April 1898)

“The Etude is my daily food.  I live and grow on it.” 

Mrs. Lilla Cottrell (October 1901)

"I am a subscriber to The Etude and as time passes I grow more deeply attached to this dear friend."

Mrs. J.A. Rouse (January 1906)

"The Etude is my chief joy.  It is a constant source of help and inspiration."

Lizzie M. Jennings (November 1905)

"The Etude is my constant and daily companion and has been worth its weight in gold in my home study."

Mrs. G.B. Fugitt (July 1908)

“I consider The Etude a most valuable friend, and would not know how to get along without it."

Mrs. J.E. Wickham (October 1902)

As strange as it sounds, this 100+ year old magazine has become a valuable friend for me as well.  It will be a little sad to leave these women behind when the thesis is completed.  I'm certain I'll use the magazine again in my dissertation.  But these women.... it was very nice to unearth them.  The preface to my thesis opens with this quote from Judith Tick: "Obscure women have often tempted me."

And as it seems, so does obscure magazines.

Page count: 140, with conclusions and appendices forthcoming.  Some semi-major cuts might still be a possibility.  But it'll be over 100 pages certainly.  With three weeks before the defense to polish.

I'm not going to lie; I'm pretty proud of it.