Sarah Josepha Hale

Sarah Josepha Hale was the first female editor for the women’s magazine, Godey’s Lady’s Book, established in 1837. She wrote topics on women’s education, argued for greater economic independence for women, the importance of exercise, property rights, and sensible fashion. The magazine became the leading women’s literary and fashion magazine for the next four decades. Prior to writing for Godey’s  Lady’s Book , Hale wrote a collection of  poetry that was published called The Genius of Oblivion (1823), in order to support her five children. She also published a book of poems, written in a form that was meant to be sung, her most famous works, “Mary’s Lamb,” known today as “Mary Had a Little Lamb”.

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