How Mrs. Claus embodied 19th-century debates about women's rights
Many early stories praise her work ethic and devotion. But with Mrs. Claus usually hitting the North Pole's glass ceiling, some writers started to push back.
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Many early stories praise her work ethic and devotion. But with Mrs. Claus usually hitting the North Pole's glass ceiling, some writers started to push back.
She was born during a 19th-century Christmas in America that depended on women’s time and labor.
She was born during a 19th-century Christmas in America that depended on women’s time and labor.
The literature focused primarily on her work ethic and whether that work would ever allow her a share of Santa’s Christmas limelight.
Clement Clarke Moore’s 1823 poem “Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas” redefined Christmas in America. As historian Steven Nissenbaum explains in The Battle for Christmas, Moore’s secular St. Nick weakened the holiday’s religious associations, transforming it into a familial celebration that culminated in Santa Claus’ toy deliveries on Christmas…