1. When I started reading this article, I noticed that the writer, Earl J. Morris, described this fellow female dancer, Laurie Cathrell, as a talented and stunning person. It amuses me that she was born to dance. When her mother gave birth to her, she was so happy to have such a healthy and sweet baby. I wonder why Laurie’s mother, Sally, didn’t mention about her father. Also, there’s no indication to whether Laurie was the only child or had any siblings. A question I have is where exactly can women find their true independence?
2. This source is an article. Although the article didn't state the exact date and place it was written, it mentioned that Laurie was born in the city of St. Louis, went to school in Jefferson City, and participated in the "Shake Your Feet" company which occurred in 1929. The intended audience were young girls looking to find inspiration for the talents they possessed. It helped them blossomed into being fine women. Also, it pushed them to be remarkable.
3. Given the time period that this article was written around the 1920s, a significant event that happened was the new wave of feminism. This was when women had more opportunities to better themselves other than having the task of doing house chores and raising their children. According to the article, "Now We Can Begin," by Crystal Eastman, it states, "What we can do, however, is to create conditions of outward freedom in which a free woman’s soul can be born and grow. It is these outward conditions with which an organized feminist movement must concern itself." (http://www.americanyawp.com/reader/22-the-new-era/crystal-eastman-now-we-can-begin-1920/); this progressive group of feminists are creating ways to have all women gain their emotional freedom. This means that women can do anything they desire such as dancing, voting, etc. They can adhere to the morals of these feminists so they are able to acquire these privileges of being their genuine selves.
4. The article regarding Laurie Cathrell is important for understanding American history since it demonstrates how a female like her is destined to follow her dreams and make them come true such as dancing. The so-called roaring 20s is when the progressive era was blooming into society. It helped break away these notions of sexism since women were able to learn the same amount of things that men were supposed to be doing. During Cathrell's dancing career, the feminist movement was greatly unfolding their new rights. Lastly, why this source was saved for us to examine is because it helped empowered women to achieve their goals.
5. https://answergarden.ch/1491285
Hi Emily! This is a really interesting source! I appreciated how you assessed the impact of feminism in the 1920s on Cathrell's life and career. I also loved your discussion question, it is helpful to understand both Cathrell's individual experiences (and as @Han Li wrote above, her sense of independence) and what dancing provided her as person, and situate her in the larger historical context. I wonder too though what impact racial discrimination and racism might have played in her career opportunities and choices.
i think dancing made a big role in her life, without dancing, she may be a traditional housewife does laundry, cooks and takes care of the children at home. Also during that period, feminists rising, She was self-conscious and found her passion and wanted to work on it. So i would say dancing change her life, and helped her shaped the charactistic of independent.