In researching Mrs. Carveth Wells for a work project, I felt like I had stumbled through a wormhole and found myself in 1938. Thanks to the Internet, I can flip through the pages of the Jan. 14, 1938 edition of The Pittsburgh Press.

After reading a short interview of Mrs. Wells, I couldn’t help but look through the rest of the newspaper. Eleanor Roosevelt’s column “My Day” in its newspaper layout! Alaska seal fur coats for sale! Problems with folks dumping ashes on the sidewalk!

When I read through the advice column, though, I had to share this gem that winked up at me.

(If you can’t read the type, let me write it here for you: Be cautious of picking a woman with a music or art complex or who feels that her poetry or other “divine” talents must be given to humanity, else she will feel frustrated with life. Many such persons have little talent but much egotism and the typical “grandstanding complex.“)

Good grief. So, according to this psychologist, if a woman wanted to be a writer or singer or painter or anything remotely creative, she was to be avoided. Because she was just selfish. And talent-less. You know, I could write a hell of a lot about that blurb, but it was 1938 and Dr. Crane (not Frasier) probably wouldn’t see it. (ahem)

Fortunately, enough women during that time period (and before and after) have proven him wrong.

However, my heart goes out to the memories of women who felt the creative spirit within them… but found little acceptance or support from loved ones. I also wonder how many people (women and men) even today are stifling their creative leanings because of that same attitude from friends and family regarding art…

If you want to read the entire piece of advice, here you go: