Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879)
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
One of America's first woman editors, Hale greatly increased subscriptions to Godey's Lady's Book in her four decades as editor. She successfully promoted a national Thanksgiving Day to President Lincoln. The author and women's rights advocate lived here.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Sarah Josepha Hale broke into a male-dominated publishing world to become one of America's first women editors, guiding Godey's Lady's Book for some four decades and building it into one of the most influential magazines of the 19th century. From her Philadelphia home she shaped American taste, letters, and domestic life, all while advocating for women's education and opportunity. She is perhaps best remembered for a persistent letter-writing campaign that helped persuade President Lincoln to proclaim a national day of Thanksgiving in 1863.
Why it matters
Hale showed that a woman could wield real cultural power in print, and her advocacy gave the nation a shared holiday that still gathers American families each November.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Bridgette Mayer0.3 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Congress Hall0.4 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Hall0.4 mi away · 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Philosophical Hall0.5 mi away · PA
- Liberty Bell Center0.5 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia
- Old City Hall0.5 mi away · Philadelphia
Attractions
- Liberty Bell0.5 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Italian market0.5 mi away · Christian Street
- President's House0.5 mi away
- Second Bank of the United States0.5 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Reading Terminal0.5 mi away
- Chinatown Friendship Gate0.5 mi away · 10th and Arch Street
Food & drink
- Talula's Garden0.2 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily0.2 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Fat Salmon0.3 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cafe Walnut0.3 mi away · 703 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Maya's Pizza & Grill0.3 mi away · 716 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thank You Thank You Coffee Roasters0.3 mi away · 700 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Alexander Inn0.2 mi away · 301 301 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Philadelphia, PA
- Morris House Hotel0.2 mi away · 225 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- AKA Washington Square0.3 mi away · 834 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Fairfield Inn & Suites0.3 mi away · 261 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Holiday Inn Express0.4 mi away · 1305-11 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City0.4 mi away · 237 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Related people
- · Sarah Josepha Hale
- · Abraham Lincoln
Related events
- · National Thanksgiving Day proclamation
Themes & tags
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