George Washington, Paul Revere, the Marquis de Lafayette are all names we were taught in school as having been heroes of the American War for Independence. Molly Pitcher is a name we see given to a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike. But who was Molly Pitcher? Was she one person or a composite of two or even three women who performed similar acts of courage? Whether one, two or three, “Molly” was not the only example of women who served the cause of independence between 1775 and 1783. Have you ever heard of Anna Maria Lane? Or Sally St. Claire? How about Elizabeth Zane? I didn’t think so.
Women in the American Revolution: Putting the ‘Her’ in Heroics will introduce you to some of the women who risked their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to lift the yoke of British control of the 13 Colonies. Women who are missing from our history books, their stories as soldiers and spies left untold. There are many tales of courage to be revealed in this power-point illustrated talk about these largely unsung heroines of the American Revolution.
Presenter bio: Eric Chandler is retired from a 30+ year career as an underwriter for a leading land title insurance company. He has been involved in American Revolutionary War Living History since 1974. He has portrayed infantry, light infantry, whale-boat raider, and mounted and dismounted dragoons. He is currently serving his fourth term as a member of the Norwalk Historical Commission, sits on the Norwalk Historical Society Board of Directors as well as the Board of Directors for the recreated Sheldon’s Horse, 2nd Regiment Continental Light Dragoons for which he also serves as lieutenant and adjutant.
His artistic endeavors included writing and recording a non-selling comedy CD, and decades as a musician playing Saxes in area Rock & Roll and Blues bands. To his credit, or shame, he had his likeness used in an issue of MAD Magazine. Eric is enjoying retirement with his wife Catherine, taking classes, giving lectures on historical topics and continuing to live history.