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This participation is where Betsy Ross, or the legend of Betsy Ross, fits into the picture. The story of Betsy Ross is almost inseparable with other stories about the American Revolution, and it\u2019s worth mentioning that the role of this creator of the most ubiquitous symbol of America would be a woman. She personifies this era in American history where women were becoming autonomous and becoming more outspoken but still embodied an idea of domesticity and even fertility, as evidenced in some art and language surrounding the creation of the flag.5<\/sup> \u00a0Betsy Ross was not a leader, or a politician, or involved in any military matters but she still factors very heavily into our national story and identity. Although most of her story only made it into the public consciousness during the 19th century, her image fits into the place women held during the Revolution and contributes to this shift in thinking.<\/p>\n It is impossible to discuss this topic, women during the Revolution, however, without discussing the simple fact that makes some of this conjecture – women\u2019s voices were not as loud in the past as they are today, for various reasons.6<\/sup> Not only that, but much of the history we gleam about women in this period, most notably Betsy Ross, is only passed down through oral tradition, a tricky source that often doesn\u2019t allow for physical evidence. According to Ulrich, \u201cTo use such materials requires much sifting, much sorting, and more sophisticated analysis than most scholars have yet undertaken.\u201d7<\/sup> Because of this uncertainty, it is hard to imagine women\u2019s own attitudes toward these changing ideals or confirm if certain modern theories and models are true. In the case of Betsy Ross, it is hard to be sure if she ever did the things she did – although because, as Ulrich notes, her story would likely be typical of many women during the Revolution, and as such her role in the conflict and movement in her legend can still inform us of the role of women in general at the time.8<\/sup> Despite the limitations, however, the changing role of women can be seen throughout this period in history, and the role they played in war, revolution, and domestic life is one that was and is still invaluable.<\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 8. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, \u201cHow Betsy Ross Became Famous,\u201d Common-Place<\/em> 8, no. 1 (Oct., 2007): 3, accessed January 30, 2018, http:\/\/www.common-place-archives.org\/vol-08\/no-01\/ulrich\/<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Discussions about fertility and flag making couldn\u2019t seem more incompatible at first glance. During the American Revolution, however, both spoke multitudes about the place women had in society, the roles they were expected to play. Susan Klepp and Laurel Ulrich, … Continue reading
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