SAGE SOCIETY MINUTES
Date: February 14, 2023
Members in attendance:
Armer, Donna
Atkins, Sandi
Cordial, Grace
Gallagher, Diane
Gray, Debbie
Hathaway, Barbara
Heath, Stuart
Lawson, Ruth Ann
McCardell, Bonnie
Mix, Vicki
Pickett, Peggy
Robertson, Alvesta
Stewart, Catherine
Stocks, Jerry
Thomas, Melba
Weeks, Martha
Grace Cordial called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.
Minutes of the January 10, 2023 meeting were approved.
Members introduced their guests, Linda Hawes and Maude Hornsby.
General business discussed:
Sandi gave an update on Hopeful Horizons. Several members, led by Barbara Hathaway, went to the women’s shelter on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 to shelve the children’s books and get the room set up. It was a very successful morning. We took the opportunity to talk to the shelter director, Tonya Doctor, and the development director, Erin Hall, about needs for next year. They have $153 from the 2022 funds which are to be used to supply the children’s room as needed. We agreed that we would give them the funds from the 2023 dues which will be designated to provide enhancements for the women in the shelter, including magazine subscriptions and other reading materials.
Diane Gallagher presented a program on Lady Pirates:
Diane provided a very entertaining talk about pirates and pirateers from the yearly 1700s. Although she was focused on the female pirates, she also introduced us to Blackbeard because of his connection to Charleston.
At one point, Blackbeard had over 300 ships in his fleet operating all over the oceans including the Caribbean and in the waters off the Low Country. He blockaded Charleston harbor and also was active in the Williamsburg area. The British Navy sent ships after him and he was eventually killed in a sword flight.
The women who became pirates were from China, Ireland, England, France and many other countries. Some partnered with their husbands but others were on their own and were known to be quite ruthless.
Grace O’Malley was from Ireland and considered herself to be royalty since she ruled the area around the Cliffs of Moher. Mary Read dressed like a boy and joined Jack Rackham on his ship. She served there with Annie Bonny and the 2 women became very famous. When they were eventually captured, Jack and the crew were hung but the 2 women claimed to be pregnant and were spared.
The era of pirating ended around 1740.
The meeting adjourned at 4:50 pm.
The next regular meeting will be on March 14, 2023 with Peggy Pickett as the presenter.
Updated list of presenters:
2023
March 14: Peggy Pickett – Dressing the 18th Century Woman
April 11: Grace Cordial – Organizing Family Archives: Practical Tips
May 9: Alvesta Robertson
Respectfully submitted by Sandi Atkins, Secretary, on February 16, 2023
