THE SHIFT
Happy 4th, everyone!
I love history and couldn't let today pass without taking a moment to celebrate a few people from this era who often get overlooked. We seek out Presidential homes and museums as we travel, and here's what I've learned: while we remember the bravery and leadership of the founding fathers, there's almost always someone important standing beside them who made that leadership possible. They deserve a little recognition too… so here's a one-off edition of the newsletter to give it to them.
Every one of these played a pivotal role in our history. Here’s to the people that help build us into leaders, even if they aren’t remembered for it. It’s never a solo act.
Deborah Read Franklin ran Ben Franklin's print shop, managed the finances, and kept the business functioning for years while he was overseas - first in England and later in France. Not visiting. Living there. For years at a stretch. The business didn't pause. She was the business, in an era when women weren't supposed to be the business. Without her, he wouldn’t have had the freedom to be the inventor, diplomat, and founding father history remembers.
Betsy Ross didn't just sew a flag. She ran an upholstery business in Philadelphia for over 50 years. She first took it over when her first husband died and then kept it running through two more marriages and losses, employed a team of seamstresses, and later held government contracts for flags, tents, and uniforms. The flag was one just one secret job in a business she built and ran almost her entire adult life. One of the earliest successful female entrepreneurs in our history.
Sarah Polk was closer to a chief of staff than a spouse. She read every newspaper before her husband did and drafted his correspondence. No one got in to see the President without going through her first. He trusted her judgment more than his own cabinet. She was the gatekeeper and confident that let this often forgotten President expand into the west.
And finally…
Julia Dent Grant followed Ulysses Grant through some of the ugliest years of his career, becoming the person he actually processed decisions with, in real time. A General and a President. She managed his finances and helped him learn to lead. Later, she wrote her own memoir about the journey she had to go on to be able to do this.
History doesn’t often acknowledge everyone with supporting roles. Often, there’s more to building or founding any entity than meets the eye. So, today I am taking a moment to celebrate the ones who are forgotten.
Without the ‘footnotes’, we don’t know the leaders of today.
So, as you take a moment to celebrate the U.S. on its 250th anniversary this weekend. Also, take a moment to celebrate the ones behind the scenes helping you lean in to becoming the leader and CEO you’re meant to be.
One shift at a time,
Christy
P.S. Who's the "Deborah Franklin" in your business right now? Who helps in that supporting role that you’d love to give credit to? Reply and tell me. I read every one.