I’m not so sure about acknowledging today’s National Calendar Day celebration but the history behind it makes it worth the risk. Today is National Old Maid’s Day. It was established on this date in 1948 by Marion Richards of Jeffersonville, PA.
The derogatory term had been around long before Richards turned it into something positive. “Old Maid” initially ridiculed the women who were unmarried and infertile. While the name must have stung at first, it eventually became almost a badge of honor, especially when you consider how the celebration of the old maid began.
“With the conclusion of World War II, sixteen million soldiers were returning home. Due to the war, many marriages and relationships were placed on hold, but their return marked a new beginning. After World War II, the United States saw some of the highest marriage rates ever recorded. While it was certainly a cause for jubilant celebrations, many women were left single because their wartime sweethearts had not returned. 420,000 American soldiers out of 16 million never returned.
“Marion Richards honored these women who never married because they were waiting for their partners to return (but they never did). Richards hosted the first Old Maids gathering where the contributions of unmarried and infertile women to churches, schools, hospitals, offices, and society as a whole were acknowledged and celebrated.”1
“On June 4, 1948 Marion Richards went to the shirt factory in Norristown, Pennsylvania. She placed a corsage of roses and daises on the work tables of unmarried women aged 30 and older. When asked why, Richards responded the flowers were an invitation to an “Old Maids Day Luncheon.”
“Richards later said, “There are days for most everybody and everything but no one ever gave a thought to poor old maids except when there was a task to be done. So I decided to do something about it and chose this day especially for them.”2
Honestly, I wouldn’t appreciate the term “Old Maid.” Some have tried to reinvent the day and call it “Elder Maid.” I think that sounds even worse! We all know what is being talked about and the original name of the day has stuck.
Single individuals, male and female, face ridicule, questions, and judgment from others. Why aren’t you married? What’s wrong with you? Are you gay? Are you a prude? The list tragically goes on. While it is certainly true that it seems most people are created for the matrimonial aisle, we have to acknowledge that some have been given the gift of singleness.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:7-8, “For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. (8) I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.”
What’s so great about being single? Paul continues his thought on the subject in 1 Corinthians 7:28, 32-34. “But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you…(32) But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the
things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: (33) But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. (34) There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.”
Those of us who are married know Paul is speaking the truth. We have obligations to a spouse, children, and caring for all that pertains to family life. We don’t have the extra time – or energy or resources – to do what a single person can do for the Lord.
Does this cast a black eye on marriage? Not in the least. God created marriage, fully knowing the limitations it would put on us. It was a part of the creation mandate as found in Genesis 1:27-28. Marriage is a holy institution divinely created from the beginning. The marriage bed is undefiled according to Hebrews 13:4 and children are an heritage and blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5).
However, if God has given you the gift of singleness, wear it with honor. Old maid, spinster, or any other label is just that – a label classifying you as a unique and special part of society. Marion Richards saw it worthy to be honored and so does God.
“Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.” (1 Corinthians 7:24)
1https://eduvast.com/general-knowledge/national-old-maids-day/
2https://www.sandrawagnerwright.com/old-maids-day-really/
Images are taken from https://pixabay.com/, https://www.pexels.com/, or https://unsplash.com/images or created in Windows Copilot. According to the websites, they are Royalty Free and free to be used for our purposes.
