Because she could

This post borrows material found on Shorpy.

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What did teenage girls learn in 1927?

In Washington DC's Central High School, for some, the curriculum included auto repair.

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February 9, 1927. Central High School, Washington, D.C. 
"High school girls learn the art of automobile mechanics. 
Grace Hurd, Evelyn Harrison and Corinna DiJiulian, 

with Grace Wagner under the car."

Does this picture make you wonder what educators were thinking, way back in 1927? What possible use could automotive knowledge have for a teenage girl living 83 years ago? 

The girl in the middle, Evelyn Harrison, answered this question by becoming the "...first girl ever to enroll for a degree in engineering at the University of Maryland", according to a Washington Post article dated November 10, 1928.

The Post reported on June 12, 1932 that Evelyn was "popular in class". The piece viewed her as a sign of good things to come in America's future: "Ye who look with incredulity on the future of American youth, hearken to the tale of Evelyn Harrison, the first woman to be graduated in civil engineering from the University of Maryland."

According to a post on Shorpy, she "...went on to a career working for the federal government. In 1955 she was named a Deputy Director of the Civil Service Commission. President Kennedy personally presented her with the Federal Woman's Award in 1962. By 1967, she rose to become the highest ranking woman at the Civil Service Commission. She retired in 1971."

Auto repair was a salient part of the education of a girl who became a feminist trailblazer. Food for thought as we ponder educational priorities in the 21st century. Has your school system slashed or killed auto shop? Are school administrators planning to do so? Developing hands-on skill instills self-confidence and inspires big goals. Auto shop enabled Evelyn to make history over 80 years ago.

I'm sure you're wondering about the 5th name in the photo (the car), in fact, you must be dying to know what is was. Great! (glad you asked)

One of the joys of Shorpy is its deeply knowledgeable user base. The car is none other than a Stephens Salient Six, which was produced by the Moline Plow Company of Freeport, Illinois from 1916 to 1924.

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You may now return to 21st century concerns about the future of American youth and why it's so difficult to find a decent auto mechanic.

 

'tis the Season

Recent news on Donovan McNabb reminded TheRaven that there are few things more distasteful than rooting for the Redskins. Acknowledging the existence of the won-only-two-championships-in-the-modern-era Steelers tops the list. The possibly criminal petulance of Ben Roethlisberger is welcome news for haters of a team that donates its Terrible Towel profits to charity. Roethlisberger as Pittsburgh's incarnation of Kobe Bryant certainly shows that the steel halo isn't stainless.

Even if he committed no criminal offenses, walking out on bar tabs and poor tipping by any multi-millionaire is heinous. It's revealing that we haven't seen any press on Big-Ego revisiting all those bars and restaurants and making good - to the last dime - on every bill and tip. You'd think The Ego's agent and PR flack would - by this point - have thought to make amends out of their own pockets, if necessary, just to preserve their cash cow. Expectations for player deportment have degraded to the point where Thomas Jones' old-school values and rock-hard work ethic are considered exceptional. Chad Ochocinco has a flare for marketing, but really, can't he just shut up and play?

But I digress. Teams acquire character from owners as well as from players. One can hate the Patriots but few doubt that Robert Kraft is a class act. Hell, he let Vladimir Putin walk off with a Superbowl ring in the interests of harmonious international relations. The Rooney football dynasty runs a tight ship. Dan Rooney is credited with authorship of the NFL's policy regarding recruitment diversity for head coach and general manager positions. It's called the "Rooney Rule". The Steelers walked it and talked it straight to a championship by hiring Mike Tomlin. For the record, to keep this little diatribe full-disclosure, Tomlin is damn good and, yes, I hate to admit it, but I love his style.

One could argue that the Eagles lack the sort of character imbued by deeply involved, knowledgeable ownership. The Marra's stamp is unmistakable and the 49ers of old carried a similar imprint. I know very little about Jeff Lurie. His 1994 purchase of the Eagles has seen a 500% return, based on current estimated value. After 16 years it seems odd that he remains a non-entity, at least in the sense that he lacks the national standing and recognition of other team owners. One could also argue that there's something wrong with Philadelphia itself. Perhaps not as obvious as with Cleveland, or as insidious as in Cincinnati, but such argument would get little push-back from folks in New Jersey, New York or Baltimore.

Different as NFL owners might be, you can put them in two groups: (1) Daniel Snyder; (2) everyone else. Snyder is a lucky little punk, possessed with the arrogant fallacy that a measure of success (er, luck) in one endeavor magically, and automatically, carries over into any other. Snyder's hapless Redskins are the product of 100 pounds of ego stuffed into a 10 pound bag. He has Jerry Jones' arrogance without the associated knowledge and skill. Snyder has unwittingly created a team that's exactly what Washington deserves. The President must cringe when contemplating the unofficial duties of the the First Fan. At least the odds of a Redskins/Bears playoff contest are remote.

The sad truth is that McNabb is simply a victim of advancing age, or perceptions thereof. He reminds me of Jim Kelly, albeit with faster feet and a quicker arm, in that he lacks the last ounce of imagination needed to improvise when a season stands or falls on a handful of plays. Without the inspiration that lifted Joe Montana's otherwise ordinary skills to championship caliber, even slight physical decline can be a major detriment. Perhaps Andy Reid sees something in Kolb that is so subtle, it's undetectable in the stands, or by TV cameras. McNabb played well, with reasonable consistency, for a long time, against division rivals in larger markets and/or with superior ownership.

Meanwhile, up the MARC line, an unknown owner, a lesser known coach and a team of largely unheralded talent is once again motivated by the perennial slight accorded to all things Baltimore. No one anywhere else pays any attention.

'tis the season.