Recently, because of a project I was asked to do, I started thinking about my life-long research subject, Judith Sargent Murray, as a business model -- yes, really.

Sure, she's been dead since 1820, and sure, I've been working on her for over 20 years, but even I saw her in a whole new way this past weekend. Bear with me, because there are helpful lessons to be learned here!

To begin with, Judith was born in 1751 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. What were the expectations for girls? Marriage and children. That's it. Educational opportunities? Nope. A profession? Nope. Contribution to society? Only as the supporter of a husband or son. Even for Judith, whose family was wealthy, cultured, and politically active, there was ZERO role for her to play on a larger stage and no expectation beyond marriage and children.

So, what did she do about it?

First, she had DESIRE to be more and do more. That's where it all starts.

And off she goes!

When she was taught very basic reading and writing skills by an "ill taught Preceptress," as Judith called her, she said to herself, this is not okay, I want and deserve more. She did not take no for an answer. Instead, she made use of her father's library and essentially gave herself a humanities education.

Letter writing was a very appropriate activity for young ladies, and she was good at it. But that wasn't enough. At a very young age, she started writing poetry. It doesn't survive, but given the poetry she wrote later in life, I doubt it was silly. But even that wasn't enough. As she later told the Rev. William Emerson (Ralph Waldo's father), "Ere I had completed my ninth year, I had written a little work, which ... I considered an history."

Still not taking no for an answer. (A 9-year-old girl writing history?)

Stepping out and up

In 1782, when Judith became the first American Universalist woman to publish anything, she used theological arguments to claim equality between men and women. Wow. Now let's look at that.

First, being a Universalist had meant public expulsion from Gloucester's (congregational) First Parish, participation in the first ruling in this country for freedom of religion, helping to establish the first Universalist association in the States, and building the first Universalist meeting house in America. For the 18^th century, those are all extraordinary acts, and Judith wanted her name publicly attached to each one. (She would be REALLY attached to their pastor, John Murray, years later, when she married him!)

Second, she wrote and published a book. Women weren't doing that.

Third, she used theology to prove her points. Who did she think she was? But guess, what, she KNEW her theology well enough to present compelling arguments.

Fourth, she claimed equality for women. NO ONE was doing that then. This is years before Abigail Adams asked John to "remember the ladies," or anything else.

A larger audience

After her catechism, Judith decided to take her ideas into the public arena - her ideas about female equality, how daughters should be valued, and how women should "reverence themselves." NO ONE was doing this, and I'm SURE she was told more than once, "Oh, you really shouldn't do that. It's not proper for a lady, you will risk your reputation..." and God knows what else. Instead, she did it.

In 1790, despite the fact that I'm sure, once again, she was told, "You really shouldn't be so bold, so public, those ideas are too scary," she published her groundbreaking essay "On the Equality of the Sexes" in the Massachusetts Magazine. It is THE FIRST public claim for women's equality in America. (She is still not hearing no.)

In 1792, concerned that her ideas were being "dismissed, rather than consider," she assumed a male pen name and started a monthly column in the Massachusetts Magazine called "The Gleaner." Women were not doing this. The same year, she started a second series called "The Repository," resuming her former pen name, and she displayed extraordinary intellectual "chops" in the fields of theology and philosophy. Didn't stay small, didn't hear "No."

Taking on the critics

When a powerful critic of hers convinced the magazine's new editor to stop publishing her work, she said, "the heck with him, I'll try something new." She then wrote her first play, a satire, and became the first American, male or female, to have a play produced in Boston. The same critic, Thomas Paine (not the Thomas Paine of Common Sense fame), the editor of the Federal Orrery, trashed her play and accused Judith's husband, John Murray, of being the author.

Undaunted, she wrote a second play. Again, "Mr. Paine" went after her in public. It got very ugly, but John Murray (love the guy) defended her in the Boston newspapers.

Finding another way

Now, Judith said to herself, "If the Massachusetts Magazine won't publish my essays, I'll do it myself." So, she put together a three-volume collection of her essays, including new ones (two of which, just brilliant, presented historical arguments/facts about female abilities), and her plays, and she went after subscribers to pay for its publication. She dedicated the book to President John Adams (whom she knew) and asked him to subscribe. He did. She also asked George Washington to subscribe. He did. (I mean, why not go right to the top, right?) She then used their names to get others. All told, 759 people and organizations subscribed to her book, The Gleaner, and Judith Sargent Murray became the first woman in America to self-publish a book.

Taking OVER the critic

Several years later, when Judith wrote her third play, she thought, "Hmmm...Mr. Paine is going to nail me again. How can I prevent that from happening?"

What she did was to contact him, and humbly ask his advice. From her letters, it appears that he was like melted butter in her hands and couldn't have been more gracious. Did she need his advice? Of course not, the jerk! But how strategic of her to win over her biggest detractor.

Business lessons learned?

I could go on, but let's stop here and look at the BUSINESS lessons we can learn from this story.

• Don't take no for an answer. If you know you need to do something but you are presented with obstacles, find another way.

• Learn what you need to know.

• Believe in what you do -- enough so that you have the guts to take chances.

• Don't stop.

• Be creative. Constantly find new ways to communicate your message, or to sell your products or programs.

• If you have detractors, confront them in ways that will get them on your side.

And so...

Do you see why I love this woman? She was unstoppable -- in the 18^th century -- a mere woman -- and I so respect her for all that she accomplished and for the role model she is for any person, business, or organization.

If you'd like to learn more about her, please visit my Judith Sargent Murray website.

And, as always, I would love to hear your comments! 

I am excited to announce that my ebook on how to do a business history (and what to do with the information) is now available!

If you’re a business or organization, I promise you will benefit from the ideas generated by going through this process.

And if you’re part of the history or library communities, please know that this book represents new revenue streams for you!

The added benefit, which is what really tugs at my hearts strings?

You will be acting in service to your community because you will all be finding and telling new stories about the history of our communities and the people who built and sustained them.

You might uncover a new woman’s story to tell, a veteran’s story, an American success/rags-to-riches story – you really have no idea what you will find and who you will inspire until you start digging in!

You will also be forging stronger partnerships between the business and historical communities, and I feel so strongly about that as well. We need each other, and “history” really needs the support of the private sector far beyond just writing the occasional check.

So…there are untold benefits to be had from doing this work – and it’s all tied to learning the history of your business or organization.

Please join me in this exciting endeavor! Here's that link again!

Instead, for some reason, when I filled out my name tag, this time I decided to include my middle name. The head of the Navy League took one look at the name “Hurd,” gasped, and said, “Are you related to Jack Hurd?” “Yes, I replied, he was my grandfather.”

Yes, I had known my grandfather when I was growing up, but not well. He died when I was a teenager, but because my mother, his daughter, had a difficult relationship with him, I never, ever knew about his Navy activities. I never attended a cookout to see him in action, or go to a Navy League event, or meet men he had served with. Except for the photographs in his study of the men he commanded, I never knew my Navy commander grandfather.

I attended the Memorial Day ceremonies in Ipswich, Massachusetts, this year, and I was very moved by the lengthy, small-town tribute to those who have served. I was particularly struck by the speech delivered by the veterans agent.

As you probably know, this year begins the commemoration of the American Civil War, and he talked about how much of the story we have lost over time – the stories of ordinary people who served or who managed daily life back home. We only have what was written down or photographed, and it’s a tiny fraction of what could have been documented.

Fast forward to today. We have the ability to document anything and everything instantaneously and in multiple formats. Are we capturing the stories of veterans and their families? Not enough. The World War II service men and women are almost all gone. Korean War veterans are getting up there. If you know someone, if you are related to someone, or if you feel motivated to contact your Council on Aging (or your equivalent), please do!

Sit down with a technology your subject will be comfortable with. Come from a place of deep and genuine respect, and start asking questions. (Please don’t say, “So, tell me your story.” Being more specific will help start and guide the conversation.)

Then, what will you do with the information? It should ideally end up with your public library and historical society, but perhaps there is another repository of information about veterans in your community. (The point is, people need to be able to find it.)

Also consider turning your efforts into a community project with a team of people, press coverage, and an event when you’re done. Many communities have done oral history projects with seniors, or a writing project. You could do the same thing but with a special focus on veterans and their families. Trust me when I tell you, the gratitude from your community will be huge.

Story and Idea #2

This idea came to me from a friend who is a grandfather. Every Christmas, and sometimes more often, he and his wife give the gift of written family stories to their grandchildren. These are stories about the family members they will never meet, a place that’s meaningful to the family, or some other special family “thing.”

Isn’t this a lovely idea? I can’t imagine a more valuable gift!

My own grandparents passed away when I was a teenager, and I would dearly love to have 16 years’ worth of their reminiscences to enjoy as an adult! But I don’t, and it’s too late. Such a shame!

As a historian, here are some of the questions I would normally ask if you and I were to have a conversation.

• Was your founder a woman? If so, what motivated her (or you) to start the business or organization? Was she the first woman to start that kind of business? What obstacles did she encounter and how did she overcome them? What kinds of “firsts” did she achieve in her business? What key decisions did she make to get from Point A to today? Did she also play a role in her community (or family) as a mentor to other women? How would you describe her impact on her industry? (I think it goes without saying the impact Oprah has had in all of these areas.)

• If your founder wasn’t a woman, what can you find out about his wife, mother, or daughters? Did any of them play a role in the business? How were they affected by the business? Did a daughter inherit the business? (In the case of one of my clients, his grandmother led the family business through the Great Depression after inheriting the company from her father because her brothers weren’t interested. What a terrific story! And we had her picture.)

• When were women first involved in your business or organization? For example, who was the first woman lawyer to join your law firm? The first woman banker at your bank? The first woman accountant at your accounting firm? Or, when were women allowed to become members? Who was the first woman donor and why? What other kinds of “firsts” for women occurred in your business or organization? (My great aunt was the first woman lawyer to work for what is now Greater Boston Legal Services, and I’m awfully proud of that!)

• Did your business provide services to women when it was founded, or did that evolve? In what way has having women customers evolved? (We all remember the days when car salesmen treated women like idiots!)

• How has the treatment of women employees evolved over time? (I assume your business no longer fires women for being pregnant, and I hope you pay them equally!)

• In what ways has your business marketed itself to women over time, and how has that changed? (Women were really talked down to in the early days of advertising, which we now know was a bit misguided!)

Why should you spend the time to do this work?

• You will show your respect for women and for women’s history – and we do pay attention to these things!

• You will expand your unique story, which is essential in marketing. You can post your new information on your website, create a display, and issue a press release.

• You will have legitimate reasons for publishing stories in your local newspaper, in your blog, and on your website during National Women’s History Month (March).

• For March or for Mother’s Day you will have an excuse to make a special offer in the name of one of “your women,” or host a special event for women customers and staff.

• You will provide your community and “the world” with new roles models for young people.

All of these opportunities await you, but it starts with knowing your history.

I hope you will dig in and find the stories to tell – and then share them!!!

• You get your unique story out into the world.

• You discover all kinds of new opportunities for marketing, PR, events, and products.

• You go a long way toward cementing the “know, like, trust” factor that draws people to you and keeps them there.

• You instill pride in your employees.

• If you’re a family owned business, you get to honor your family.

But here’s the added bonus. Doing your business history enables you to be of service to your community – and I have a feeling that’s important to you.

How can this play out?

• By working with the historical organizations in your community you will establish strategic partnerships that will last a long, long time. You each have something to offer the other, and you can bring resources to these organizations – your expertise, your support through your business, and, yes, your money.

• You will be expanding the story of your community by investigating your story. No one else but you will take the time to do this particular work, and you might very well uncover some real finds. No matter what you discover, you will be giving a gift to your community by sharing your story.

• You might have a compelling founder’s story that will inspire young people. Watching Oprah’s farewell speech the other day, I was reminded all over again about her own incredible story from quite dismal beginnings and low expectations to who she is today. There are so many more stories to tell from our history, including recent history, and we need to hear them and be inspired. Young people, especially, need the kind of role models who show them they can do it too.

• You will be demonstrating to your community, including young people, that you value your community and its history. That will send a very powerful, positive message, and I have no doubt you will inspire others to follow your lead!

And so, yes, the business benefits from doing your business history are there. But so are the benefits to you, personally.

With all my heart I believe that we need more people, more money, more vision, more heart in the history community, and you can be part of it.

Being of service is the highest calling there is. I believe that’s ultimately why we’re all here. We are at our best when we are, and good things always happen!

I hope you will seize the opportunity.

* * *

And speaking of opportunities…my ebook on how to do your business history will be published shortly, and I am announcing today a very special prepublication offer just for those of you on my list.

In just a short amount of time, the investment price for the book will be $37, but starting Friday, May 27, for one and a half weeks only, I am making it available for just $29.97.

Why? Because in case you couldn’t tell, I believe very strongly in this work and I really want as many people as possible to get involved.

I invite you to go to historysmiths.com, and in the Store section you will see where I’ve  described the book. It is called “A Source of Pride (and Customers).” You can also go right to the sales page where I describe EVERYTHING you will get in the book, including bonus sections, checklists, and the ONE secret that will make all the difference to the success of doing your business history.

I HOPE you will take me up on this offer, and I look forward to sending you the link to the book in just a couple of weeks.

Thanks for stopping by!

How does this play out in terms of telling your business history, or your organization’s history?

Well, I’ll tell you a quick true story. (Or, you can listen to it on YouTube.)

I was recently hired by a business owner whose insurance agency was about to celebrate its 100^th anniversary. This man was the fourth generation owner of the company. It was started by his great-grandfather, passed on to his grandmother, then to his father, and then to him.

When he contacted me, he said, “Bonnie, I don’t just want to throw a party, I want to do something meaningful and lasting that will honor my family and tell our customers more about who we are.”

Now I KNOW, that you are already drawn into the story!

So, I set about doing a lot of family research and genealogy because there were a lot of missing pieces. I got his family back to French Canada, or New France, where my client’s great-grandfather came from, and even back to France.

Moving forward, I found out why they came to the community they did – Salem, Massachusetts, and how it was that a newly arrived immigrant set up a small storefront and launched an insurance agency.

It was a quintessentially American success story, because his agency flourished. In 1914, when the Great Salem Fire destroyed huge swaths of houses and businesses forcing many people out of Salem, this man stayed to help everyone he could.

Then when he wanted to pass his business along to his sons, none of them wanted it – but his daughter did. And so, a woman inherited this insurance agency at a time when women were not trusted with money, God forbid, most didn’t work outside the home, AND she steered the company through the Great Depression.

Her son, the first in the family to attend business school, transformed the company into the modern era and his son, my client, is doing the same thing today very successfully.

The stories go on and on, but I think you see my point.

And when we told these stories, with pictures, in newspaper articles, in a lobby display, and on his website, people were thrilled. They connected on a very emotional level with this man who had so honored his family, and especially his grandmother.

They loved him for it – and you better believe he attracted more customers. Why in the world would you want to work with another insurance agency when you could work with this one?

And even if you’re not a family-owned business, telling the story of your founder can have the same effect.

But here’s what I see most businesses do. Somewhere in their marketing, they say something like, “founded in 1900 by John Smith, who came from Europe in 1890, started his company, and we are still here today.”

Even worse, I hear or read “family owned and operated since 1900” and that’s IT! Nothing on their website, no more information.

That is NOT the kind of story that will engage anyone. You need to dig deeper, or it won’t work for you.

Do you see the difference?

So I HOPE you will think about doing your business history, and really telling the story of your founder, because the rewards are huge – personal, and financial.

You will also be expanding the story of your community’s history because it’s all connected. It’s all connected.