7 Female Inventors Who Solved Life Problems

Every year, the month of March brings a celebration of women’s history. But I think it’s a disservice when we highlight female innovations only one month of the year. Since delving into human history is an exercise that I love, I delight in what women have accomplished! Yet searching what women have achieved, one often finds the most current writing focuses on a single note in the rich melody of women’s achievements—the strides made by women in advancing equality.

Ladies, we have done so much more than that! It’s not a single note; instead, it’s a whole orchestral arrangement. What I also love is that not only is exploring our gender’s achievements much more than a reflection on how far women have come, but it is also rich in accomplishment that is in no way predictable, especially in female inventors.

These female inventors deserve to be celebrated for what they created!

The Woman Who Invented the Bulletproof Vest

If you’re a watcher of television crime drama, you’ve seen the tense setup before officers enter a building, potentially facing trouble. They often pop the trunk of their police car to grab an additional weapon along with their bulletproof vest. In light of the danger ahead, this item seems like an essential addition to their wardrobe. But before 1966, those vests weren’t available. That is until DuPont chemist Stephanie Kwolek accidentally invented Kevlar while trying to perfect a more lightweight fiber for car tires. Who knew this high-tensile metal, five times stronger than steel, was the brainchild of a woman and could deflect bullets? I wonder if she ever got that tire fiber worked out, too…

The Woman Who Invented Windshield Wipers

Speaking of cars, what car driver does not appreciate their windshield wipers on a rainy or snowy day? It was on a trip to New York City in 1903 that Mary Anderson decided something needed to change when experiencing a delay in her travel across the city. In the backseat of a cab, as the snowstorm descended, Mary encountered multiple pauses. When the snow got too thick on the front windshield, the cab driver would pull the cab over, jump out, and scrape the glass clean, only to drive a few blocks and do it again.

Returning to her home in Birmingham, Alabama, Mary sketched her concept, wrote a comprehensive description of her idea, and then applied for a patent. That one act led to the creation of the first automatic windshield wiper controlled from inside the car, nevermore to face the elements. I don’t know if she traveled back to New York to see her invention in action, but I’m quite sure the cabbies would have given this pioneering lady free cab fare for the rest of her life if she had.

The Woman Who Invented Scotchgard

There is nothing more irritating than a stain to call a woman to action. In 1952, 3M chemist Patsy Sherman was stumped when some fluorochemical rubber spilled on a lab assistant’s shoe, and they couldn’t get it out. I bet money the men in the room didn’t have the same drive as Patsy did to do something about it. But this lady, along with co-inventor Samuel Smith, came up with a solution. Scotchgard! This chemical repelled water, oil, and other liquids without changing the color of the fabric. There isn’t a mom in America that has not benefited from this wonderful invention when their three-year-old decided to add artwork to the family sofa.

Not only is exploring our gender’s achievements much more than a reflection on how far women have come, but it is also rich in accomplishment that is in no way predictable.

The Woman Who Invented the Circular Saw

Creating building materials in the early 1800s was a daunting task that required hard labor and repetitive motion. To have the lumber needed for any structure required two men cutting logs into usable pieces. The tool was called a pit saw: the kind where each man grabbed the handle on either side of the long blade and worked it back and forth to cut logs into the appropriate lengths.

It was a weaver, Tabitha Babbit, that came up with the solution: the invention of the circular saw. Making a prototype that she attached to her spinning wheel in 1813, Babbit turned a two-man job into one that could be completed alone. As a member of the Shaker community, which is derived from the description of a shaking Quaker (you can look that one up), acquiring a patent was not something they believed in doing. But they did take full advantage of this weaver’s work.

The Woman Who Invented the Pedal Trash Can (and More!)

Lillian Gilbreth could become my new favorite hero! This lady tweaked and designed dozens of inventions that made life better. She invented shelves inside refrigerator doors (including the egg keeper and butter tray), and made vast improvements on electric can openers, as well as creating wall light switches.

But the one invention I am most thrilled with is the pedal trash can! Something you should know is she did all of this as a mother of 12. (This is why needing to open a trash can with your foot became an amazingly important reality to this mom.) Oh, and another significant fact is her family was the inspiration for the book Cheaper by the Dozen, written by two of her brood of 12. (Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning at no additional cost to you, Grit and Grace Life may earn a small commission.)

The Woman Who Invented Caller ID

Who doesn’t love Caller ID? Knowing who you’re going to be speaking to before you even pick up the phone—what’s not to like? Theoretical physicist Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson did the research that led to this can’t-live-without feature on every one of our phones. She is also the first African-American woman to gain a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Thanks, Shirley—I have successfully avoided more telemarketers than I can count.

The Woman Who Invented the Airplane Muffler

Finally, it’s Eldorado Jones who, in 1923, patented the airplane muffler. Known as “Iron Woman,” she started her factory in Moline, Illinois, with an entire workforce of women. Ironically, while non-stop puffing her cigarettes, she directed the mechanics on attaching the muffler to the airplane and then began the testing process at Roosevelt Field. The plane sped out of the hangar and along the runway. Even though, according to news reports, she blew out a lot of fumes, the airplane did not.

Ladies, we should be proud of all the inventions that have come from our gender. It should inspire us, encourage us, and reinforce the fact that you cannot pigeonhole women. Weavers can invent circular saws, moms of 12 can invent pedal-footed trashcans, chemists can repel stains, and cigarette smokers can control exhaust! Next time you are faced with something you know can be done better, give it a little more brain time. Break out your creative juices, and start drawing, building, or rigging. You may be the next patent holder destined to make someone else’s life better.

Stories of women past should inspire us, encourage us, and reinforce the fact that you cannot pigeon-hole women.

7 Essential Tips to Relieve Middle School Anxiety

Middle school is one of the most emotionally-charged seasons in every human’s life. Bringing up this rite of passage, from elementary age to high school, is always a good way to create lively conversation between adults. Although it’s a season of life that most of us are glad to leave behind, there’s just something about sharing those vivid, awkward memories of middle school anxiety that make us both laugh and cringe at the same time.

However, the mother of a child in the midst of middle school anxiety needs every little bit of help available when she sends her “just yesterday they started school” child out the door…knowing full well that today might possibly be the day that her sweet baby is devoured by the middle school monster. So instead of just biting your own nails in empathy, find a few unemotional moments with your middle schooler (yes, they still exist) and walk through a few of the helpful tips below. If you do, you may end up saving them from a monster or two.

Tip Number 1

The lunch cafeteria is the vast desert land of insecurity. It will take some pre-planning on your child’s part, but suggest they make plans to sit with their friends at lunchtime before the lunch period arrives. There’s nothing more awkward than having to sit by total strangers with nothing to say. It’s also a good idea to encourage your child to be friendly with the students who sit near them in class. That way they will have a few more familiar faces they can sit with in the lunchroom if their friends cannot be found.

Tip Number 2

Trying new things can be extra scary at this age, but a new hobby or sport might just be the place where they find new relationships that last through high school. Encourage your student to sign up for new clubs and sports; it’s always easier to do so with a friend, but challenge them to step out of their comfort zone even if their friends won’t join them.

Tip Number 3

Buy a combination lock, teach your child how to use it, help them practice so there are no awkward moments it just won’t open. As soon as they get their locker combination help them  them memorize it. Doing so will help them feel confident when they start using their locker multiple times a day. There’s nothing worse than when you can’t get to your books in order to get to your next class, creating the domino effect of embarrassment from peer to janitor to teacher. You might want to suggest they keep their locker organized so that they can find what they are looking for in the three minutes available. But that may be asking too much…

Although it’s a season of life that most of us are glad to leave behind, there’s just something about sharing those vivid, awkward memories of middle school anxiety that makes us both laugh and cringe all at the same time.

Tip Number 4

Push your student to learn their schedule, help them chart a route, and make sure they have what they need for class. If your child is just beginning middle school and is late to class, they might get a pass from the teachers the first week, but after that, all bets are off. If they start off on the right foot, they won’t have those second-week confrontations that every student wants to avoid. If you can get into the school over summer break, it’s not a bad idea to take a trip over there and walk around to help your child become acquainted with the building and hallways.

Tip Number 5

Homework is not optional. Elementary school may let missing assignments slide, but that’s not going to happen in middle school. If you haven’t yet, this is the time to start letting them sink or swim on their own. No more checking in to make sure they have done what they know to do.

Tip Number 6

Teachers are not the enemy. They may expect more, and the work is more difficult, but if your child needs help, encourage them to ask. Most teachers are there to teach; they want your student to learn and will do what they can to see that happen.

Tip Number 7

They can do this. Encourage, encourage, encourage. They may roll their eyes and shrug their shoulders, but if their parents believe they are capable, it helps them believe it too.

Remember, middle school is a great training ground for life. So let your child enter this boot camp; it will help prep them for future life success. Be their biggest and best cheerleader, because there will be some days when they will certainly need one.

Anatomy of a Strong Woman

What makes a strong woman is touted in academia and social media; it’s displayed daily on almost every television network. The phrase is even currently awarded to those who are not biologically female. But I contend being born female is the only path to becoming a strong woman. Those are the women I admire and want to emulate.

Today’s version of female strength is often exemplified by some of the angriest ladies I have ever encountered. I’m not sure that much of anything would make these women happy. They tell us we should demand respect, our rights, and equality (but oftentimes with an air of superiority).

This is not to say that women cannot have a voice, that we are undeserving of respect, or that we are unequal. In fact, I believe we are equal, and having fought for that, I stand with the premise. That every woman’s voice is essential to the world. But if we are fighting for something of worth, let’s handle ourselves with dignity and treat the people around us with respect. Using some grit is OK, but let’s ensure it’s marked by grace. Because the ladies who carry a chip on their shoulder and make the same angry demands simply don’t encourage or inspire; they make me weary.

Become the Woman Who Doesn’t Have to Prove Her Strength

No, it’s not those women I find strong. In fact, if I planned a girls’ night out, they aren’t the ones I’d invite. If I could, along with some of my best girlfriends, I would choose two ladies residing in heaven: my great-grandmother, Ethel Bunger, and my husband’s grandmother, Minnie Brock. Now those were some strong ladies.

Follow us on Instagram!

The way they lived provided me with two of the best examples of what a strong woman looks like. They possessed every trait needed and put these traits on display without angst or effort daily, which ended in them earning the respect of all they encountered.

Their strength did not lie in working outside the home, inside the home, or by doing some of both. It did not come from breaking whatever ceiling they encountered. They didn’t give much thought to ceilings; they just took care of business. It was not a list of demands or rights that were met that gained their respect. Their very makeup, nature, and priorities made them strong.

I learned so much from these ladies who made me better. I’d like to share with you a few of their traits, all of which come together to create the…

Anatomy of a Strong Woman:

• Eyes that shed tears for those who are hurting.

• A mind that possesses the knowledge of life, faith, and family.

• Hands that work diligently to meet the needs of others.

• Feet that run swiftly to the defense of those who need defending.

• A voice that speaks up when injustice demands it.

• A heart of courage to believe the best, even when all reason says she shouldn’t.

• Arms that hold closely—offering unconditional love.

• The laughter that provides hope to a heart in pain.

• A tongue that never ceases to offer words of wisdom and encouragement.

• A tenacious spirit that perseveres every day, even when she is spent.

These women of strength inspired me with every one of those acts. When they moved residence to the land that is eternal, there were many stories filled with laughter and tears from an untold number of people. There was such respect and honor in each sentence, in each teardrop. They didn’t demand it; they didn’t march for it; they earned it through the way they chose to live.

This is the woman who has joy, contentment, and purpose. This woman does not have to prove her equality because those around her know she is so much more than equal.

This is the kind of woman I want to be. This is the woman you want to be.

This woman doesn’t bother listening to the noise from those loud and frustrated ladies. She knows exactly what it takes to possess the anatomy of a strong woman. She’s living a life of grit and grace.

This is my Letter to God

Dear God,

You, God, are my Father, my eternal heavenly Father. Because You asked me to be your child, sought me, and found me. I didn’t earn it. I have no qualifications to join Your royal family. I am here only because You sent Your Son.

Through you, Jesus, Your birth, death, and resurrection, I have been adopted into Your family. That I now have the honor to be a child of the King. My faults, my sins, and shortcomings are covered by who You are and what You did. Your words, when You walked this earth, taught me how to live. Your death taught me how to love. As You left to return to heaven, You gave me more.

You left a Helper, a Comforter, a prodder, One who doesn’t give up but walks with me every day. Holy
Spirit, You are so difficult to define yet so easy to feel. When I stumble, You pick me up; when I grieve, You comfort me. When I stray, You guide me back with gentleness and strength. When I doubt, You sit with me, give me time, and gently help me regain my confidence and hope. You provide answers to my questions, give me peace when there are none.

It is You, oh God, I love. It is You, oh God, I cannot fully comprehend, but I can completely trust. It is You, oh God, who will never leave me, never turn Your back on me. You will take the pieces of this broken human, even this broken world, and create unfathomable beauty.

You will make me what I never thought I could be; stronger, wiser, more compassionate, more merciful. I will become that as Your child because You are.

As your daughter, I have found that the beauty of Your nature is within me. The tenderness of Your heart is mine. It is You, my Father, who will help me unearth that nature. I promise You that I will discover who You created me to be, how You want me to live. I will do my best to accomplish what You have set before me.

With your strength, guidance, and steadfastness, I will become a daughter You can be proud of. I will become the person You knew I could be even when I didn’t.

So heavenly Father, thank You for creating me, for inviting me into Your family. For the hope that holds my heart together in the difficult days. I look forward to the day I join You and the rest of our family to celebrate. Celebrate the life You gave us, the dreams You fulfilled, the joy You gave to us, Your children, both now and forever.

Thankfully,

Your Daughter

Moms, Get Ready for the Teen Years Now

Moms, are you dreading those teen years? You’ve gone from 2 to 6 to 10 years old at lightning speed, which makes you know  those terrifying years in a child’s life will be on you before you finish fixing dinner.

There are books on handling this age and podcasts that help parents navigate this season, and while those are helpful, the best way to deal with your teenager is what you do before they get there. What you’ve instilled before that season and the relationship you’ve built will see you through these wonderful, albeit challenging, years.

Before I step into the list of things you must do now, I want to assure every parent of this: While ages 13-18 create many unique problems, it also offers a delightful season of seeing your little one transform into a magnificent, almost-adult. So, fear should not be running through your very being; rather, getting ready for a new adventure should be.

But if you want to traverse those years with the best setup, here’s what you need to do now.

6 Ways to Get Ready for the Teen Years

1. Make sure they feel seen.
So, you say, “I see them every day. They are underfoot, chattering constantly, making a mess, and some days making me crazy.” While that is entirely true, do you stop to really see them? Take the time to observe what they are doing. If preoccupied, they may not even notice. That’s not the point. What you are doing is learning who your child is. And each one of them is different. Do they love art, building, sports, or music? They will tell you by the activities they enjoy. Knowledge is invaluable in the teen years.

See them when they are looking too. I recently heard of a father at his child’s sports event who was looking at his phone when his battery died. Putting it aside, he started watching the game. In doing so, he realized his child often looked at him to see if he was watching. His child and every other child on the court did the same. As he looked around the room, almost every other parent was looking at their phone.

Our children are looking for our approval. They want our cheering, encouragement, our support. When we don’t see them, they don’t have it. So, to whom do they look next to get that? It may not be someone you want to influence in their life. Put that phone down and be the one they know is paying attention.

2. Say what you mean; mean what you say.

You are the authority in their lives from the moment they enter your home. You protect them by making rules: “don’t touch”, “don’t run into the street”, and “don’t talk to strangers”. There is a plethora of rules that protect. But those aren’t the only rules; some lead to correction.

These are more difficult because they are subjective. You aim to raise a healthy, emotionally stable, and responsible adult. So, what rules lead to achieving that goal? These are found by doing two things:

The first is understanding your child. Each child is unique, even in behavior struggles, as well as in the ability to communicate. They may be hurting or experiencing issues you are not privy to. Instead of talking it out, they act out. Sometimes the hostility and disobedience indicate something other than mere defiance. Time will help you identify which one you’re dealing with. So, don’t panic about this; get to know your child.

Our children are looking for our approval. They want our cheering, encouragement, our support.

The second is setting reasonable rules. Everything that irritates is not a call for punishment. Your creative child may drive you crazy with their drama or desire to avoid math with all their will. Your engineer-brained child may disassemble instead of build. It looks like breaking toys, but it’s an attempt to figure something out.

Some learned behaviors will serve your child well throughout life but will require ongoing reminders. Honesty, so no lying. Empathy, so no selfishness. Responsibility, so complete what is expected. These and others like them have absolute rules regardless of the catalyst.

Once you establish what corrective rules are, make them and mean them. If you threaten something, you need to do it. So don’t threaten anything, and I mean anything, you are unwilling to follow through on. Here’s what you need to remember: If your 6-year-old knows you don’t mean it, your 16-year-old will know the same thing.

3. Be willing to join your kids in their world.  

Hate video games? Not any good at them? It doesn’t matter; play them. Are you terrified of the roller coaster? Try riding with them or find a reasonable alternative. Hate getting dirty? Don’t want to add another load of laundry to your workload? It doesn’t matter; get in the mud with them.

They need to know you want to be part of their lives. They want to be part of yours. This is also true in the teen years, even though it may not seem like they do. Establishing life-sharing when they are young enables life-sharing as they grow. It also creates an excellent opportunity for communication. If they know you are terrified of that roller coaster but willing to go for them, there is a perfect opportunity to discuss overcoming fear. 

Conversations with your child in a completely comfortable setting (of their choosing) become more authentic and frequent. They are inclined to share their thoughts when you’re sharing their interests. So, get in there and join them.

4. Teach them to lead, not follow.

In reality, not everyone is a leader, at least not in the traditional terms. Heads of business, government, and even parent groups or committee heads are all considered leaders. But every one of us leads in our own lives. Making choices like who we’ll pursue relationships with, what we want to do, and how we want to live.

Teaching our children to lead their lives independently of other people’s influence and ideas is essential. We want to raise children into adults who can think for themselves. There is a part of this that’s uncomfortable as a parent. As your child heads into adulthood, some of their ideas will not mirror yours. You may not be prepared for the reality that they may be right in their divergent opinion. But whether correct or not, you must learn the art of no emotion. Nothing is more effective in a child’s digging into a theory than a parent’s reaction. And that gets more apparent in the teen years.

5. Let them experience what is needed to develop resilience.

One of the most needed traits we need in life is resilience. It is essential for you, for me, and for our children. This is not built by living a painless existence. It is through facing hard things, problems, and defeats that resilience is gained.

As parents, we never want to see our kids hurt. Their pain is our pain; we feel their disappointment deeply. But keeping them shielded from all hurt is not only a disservice to them—it is also handicapping them for the rest of their life.

Your child’s reactions to life challenges will go from internal to external. Much like our own. Internal is the feeling that you can’t get through whatever you face. External is blaming someone else. Neither are successful ways of coping, but they often must be worked through before taking the next step, which is making an effort to move forward and finding a way through to the other side successfully. It doesn’t help for us to fix it for them. Instead, we need to be ready to step aside and let them work through this process on their own. It will ensure they develop a much-needed quality: resilience.

6. Teach them they are exactly who they need to be.

Every human is a bundle of unique abilities, talents, and ways of thinking. The same is true of that child entrusted to you. And it is good. If you believe that to be true about your child, they will too.

Take the time to let them know what you treasure in them. Make a list, read it to them, and hang it on their wall. Remind them when they need it and when they don’t. Let them know you love them, but let them know you like them too. Every part of who they are.

If you build a relationship with them before the teen years, your chance of maintaining it through the teen years is exponentially greater. 

If you teach them individual thinking, how to believe in themselves, and how to be resilient, every one of those traits will carry them through those years.

The teen years are not without turbulence. They are pulling away, as they should. They are forming their thoughts, as they should. But they need you now and will trust me—they will need you then.