WOMEN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

 There is some debate among historians as to who the "real" Molly Pitcher is. Most believe that the title is a composite character of all of the women who fought in the Continental Army.  The nickname "Molly Pitcher" is believed to have come from the soldiers' cry, "Molly! Pitcher!" when they were thirsty or when their overheated cannons needed to be cooled down.  The actions of Molly Pitcher are usually attributed to one Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley. (The nickname "Molly" was common for women named "Mary".)

MARY LUDWIG  Married William Hays, a barber, in  In 1777, William joined the Continental Army as an artilleryman.  Mary followed and joined a group of camp followers led by MarthaWashington. YOUNG MARTHA WASHINGTON

“A woman whose husband belonged to the artillery and who was then attached to a piece (cannon) in the engagement, attended (stayed) with her husband at the piece for the whole time. While in the act of reaching a cartridge and having one of her feet as far before the other as she could step, a cannon shot from the enemy passed directly between her legs without doing any other damage than carrying away all the lower part of her petticoat. Looking at it with apparent unconcern, she observed that it was lucky it did not pass a little higher, for in that case it might have carried away something else, and continued her occupation (post).”

WHAT DO YOU NOTICE ABOUT THIS IMAGE ? What does the woman’s pose suggest about her? What does her facial expression tell you? What else strikes you about this image?

WHAT DO YOU NOTICE ABOUT THIS IMAGE? What does this woman’s pose suggest? What does her facial expression tell you? What else strikes you about this image?

 Rosie like Molly Pitcher was a wartime symbol.  She inspired women to help in the war effort during WWII.  She was most likely based on a real woman who riveted the panels of wartime planes. Norman Rockwell painted a famous piece with a model sitting for Rosie but due to copyright issues the image that was more commonly adopted came from a Westinghouse ad campaign.  orld-war-ii/rosie-the-riveter orld-war-ii/rosie-the-riveter

ROSIE THE RIVETERMOLLY PITCHER