American Women Patriots

In honor of America's Independence Day, I'm highlighting some women who've been identified with American patriotism:

• Betsy Ross: She made the first American flag -- or did she?
• Katherine Lee Bates: She was inspired by the view from Pikes Peak to write her first version of "America the Beautiful"
• Julia Ward Howe: She wrote the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and also worked for peace, Mother's Day, and woman suffrage
• Ethel Lynn Beers: She likely wrote "All Quiet Along the Potomac Tonight," though credit was claimed by both Union and Confederate authors.