Godey’s Lady’s Book was one of the most influential women’s magazines in 19th-century America, published from 1830 to 1898. Founded by Louis Godey and edited by Sarah Josepha Hale, the magazine covered a wide range of topics including fashion, literature, recipes, and domestic advice. It played a significant role in shaping the cultural and social norms of the time, promoting the ideal of true womanhood and domesticity.

Sarah Josepha Hale was a prominent figure in American literature and women’s rights advocacy. She served as the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book for over forty years, during which she used the platform to advocate for women’s education, employment opportunities, and the preservation of American traditions. Hale campaigned to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday, which was ultimately successful when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863. Through her work with Godey’s and beyond, Hale remade the cultural, social, and political landscape of the United States and left a lasting legacy in American literature and women’s history.