And then there were eight. With Dietrich Bonhoeffer securing the eighth and final spot with a victory over Barnabas 68% to 32%, this is the list of the eight saintly souls remaining in Lent Madness: Constance, Vida Dutton Scudder, Albert Schweitzer, Julian of Norwich, Columba, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Sojourner Truth, and Absalom Jones. Quite a stellar list for the Elate Eight!
Veterans of Lent Madness know that this round is also known as the Saintly Kitsch round. After basic biographies, quotes and quirks, what else could there be? There are always some folks who take offense to this approach — we call them Kitsch Kranks and have written about this phenomenon in years past. This is not to belittle or demean our saintly heroes but to have some fun and gaze in wide wonder at the breadth of devotional practice. So kindly relax and enjoy the spirit of the Madness as we push ever onward to our goal. The Supreme Executive Committee addressed this very issue in yesterday's epic edition of Monday Madness.
Today in a matchup of two modern-ish saints, Constance meets Vida Dutton Scudder. To get to this point, Constance defeated Dominic and Helena while Vida got past F.D. Maurice and Clare (click the Bracket tab and scroll down to see previous battles and read the earlier write-ups). And we're reminded, as ever, that some saints lend themselves to kitsch more than others...
Constance
It is 1878 and yellow fever has hit your home in Memphis, Tennessee. The town has tagged your household with a "Yellow Jack" flag to announce to all visitors that the epidemic has descended upon your home and all who enter, enter at their own risk.
A traveling door-to-door salesman is feeling bold as brass and stops by with a box of Sappington's Anti-Fever pills to protect you from what is sure to be death. You wisely tell that joker to get off your front porch or you will breathe yellow fever all over him.
Next, the quack doctors arrive, with Hungarian leeches. Evidently, Hungarian leeches like yellow fever and will suck that evilness right out of your body.
If leeches gross you out (like me), then you can always have the quack doctor bleed you into your tin coffee cup to balance your humors. I am not sure about you, but bleeding of any sort, does not leave me feeling humorous, and there better not be anything in my coffee cup other than good ole joe.
If you are really, really smart, you will tell those quack doctors to get a life too. What you need is not a doctor; it is Constance and her Companions! Constance and her companions will bring care, comfort, warm compresses, broth, love, and prayer to your bedside. If you live, they leave a "Team Constance" shirt for you to wear during your recovery.
If you die, you can be buried with Constance and her Companions in Elmwood Cemetery in the shape of a cross. Inquiring readers wanted to know: What happened to the prostitute that helped Constance? Well this famous madam was known as Annie Cook. She was originally buried in unconsecrated ground due to her profession, but can now be found in Elmwood Cemetery as well. Annie's fans felt that she deserved to be buried on hallowed ground for her helping hands during the epidemic.
Now, imagine googling images of "yellow fever" for two hours. If you are as stressed out as I, you may need to arm yourself with a "Yellow Fever" cocktail before voting:
1 1/2 oz vodka
1/4 oz Galliano® herbal liqueur
1/4 oz lemon juice
2 oz pineapple juice
Now that you have armed yourself with liquid courage, remember as you vote, #ConstanceWouldGo
Vida Dutton Scudder
Vida Dutton Scudder lives on in her work.
There aren’t many images of Vida in the public arena. There aren’t depictions of her in stained glass windows in churches or college halls. There aren’t mugs or t-shirts emblazoned with her visage or heralding her name.
Vida is a quiet saint. Hers is not a household name or an easily recognizable face. Nonetheless, her drive is felt everywhere, even after more than 60 years following her death. Her legacy is ubiquitous and discreet. Her quiet influence and deep commitment shine through in all that she touched.
Rather, Vida is found in her books. In her writings. In her thoughts. In her dreams that she converted into action and activism. Her unabashed dedication is evident in her lifelong work of social conscience and deep spirituality. Her legacy is apparent in her work that lives on – the books, the movements, the organizations.
Vida was an Episcopalian who lived out her Christian beliefs as a social reformer, writer and editor, professor, lecturer, prominent lesbian author, groundbreaker in addressing social and women’s issues, untiring welfare activist, and peace proponent.
Her open-minded heart was non-stop: founder of the College Settlements Association; member of the Society of Christian Socialists; associated with the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross; advocate of the settlement movement and founder of Denison House in Boston, MA; active in organizing the Women’s Trade Union League; founder of the Episcopal Church Socialist League; a 1930s lecturer at the New School for Social Research in New York.
Add to all her social activity is the fact that she wrote more than three dozen books, essays and commentaries; 16 books were penned during her retirement years. The titles of her works speak to her zeal and spirituality: The Witness of Denial; Socialism and Spiritual Progress: A Speculation; Christian Simplicity; Saint Catherine of Siena as Seen in Her Letters; Socialism and Character; The Church and the Hour: Reflections of A Socialist Churchwoman.
So it appears that Vida didn’t have time to pose for photos or portraits or stained glass. Rather, peek into her books and writings and movements, and you see her heart, her face, her image, her likeness as an untiring child of God.
Vida Dutton Scudder lives on in her work.
[poll id="165"]
191 comments on “Constance vs. Vida Dutton Scudder”
Oh dear....such a decision. But in my hands I hold Vida's book "On Journey". She signed it and inscribed it to a Companion in 1954 who then gave it to another Companion in 1973 who passed it on to me in 2010. Alas, at some point in time I must pass it along to another member of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross. And so in spite of Constance's selfless efforts to cure the sick, I too will vote for Vida and her efforts to cure a whole society (thank you Alan Justice).
My disappointment in Scudder's earlier defeat of FD Maurice led me to inquire of any connection between the two. Yes, she does bear his legacy, through her uncle Horace Elijah Scudder, editor of Atlantic Monthly, 1890-18998. Regardless, I voted for Constance, who bears the legacy of Absolom Jones, who nursed those afflicted by Yellow Fever in 1793 in Philadelphia.
Thank you for pointing out that connection! Of course, you are right
I can see it now. If Constance wins the Golden Halo the new Lent Madness mug will be a tin cup with the slogan #ConstanceWouldGo. Scott and Tim, can I order mine now?
That's an AWESOME idea. #ConstanceWouldGod
*Go
I'm sure Constance did "Go God". Anyway, she certainly has gone further than my first century patron saint Constance would have. Go Constance!!
There is a “Victorian” cocktail, which would be appropriate for Vida Dutton Scudder. This is from the Wonder How to site:
Martini glass;
Mandarin-infused vodka;
St. Germain;
Bitter juice.
Pour an ounce of each of these into a shaker with some cubed ice. Mix this with a spoon instead of shaking it. Do this until the sorbet comes out of it and then strain it into the martini glass. Add a bit of food coloring to the glass in the middle. (You decide whether red or blue is your preferred color for social activism.) Garnish with a blood orange peel.
Return to earnest social justice efforts.
What I want to know is when are the "Constance Would Go" bumper stickers going to be available for sale in the LM online store? And what about my suggestion for the "ECW chicks dig Lent Madness" t-shirts? You guys could solve all the financial woes of TEC with the merchandising possibilities here.
People in Hawaii will have no idea what a "Constance would Go" bumper sticker is about; but we all know that Eddie definitely would go! I certainly would like to see her go all the way to the golden halo but there is some really stiff competition ahead. Yikes!
ConstanceWouldGo! (and the Yellow Fever Cocktail!
Impossible to choose on the merits -- both Constance and Vida have nothing but merits. I voted for Vida because I'd like to see a lesbian in the Faithful Four. Also a socialist.
Two fabulous saints, but I live in Memphis! It must be Constance today.
The Yellow Fever Cocktailwas my deciding factor. Sounds like a great remedy.
Vida would lead.
One of the toughest choices in the bracket so far. wow.
I googled to find more about Constance since I missed the original post. Nice to have facts not only myths.
Love them both, but really like a saint who feels confident enough to go by one name.
Would Vida would be a HUGE Bernie supporter! or a faithful follower of Hillary?
So very much for Bernie! I hope he is aware of her !
Constance will go all the way to Halo!
*fistpump*
Yes. Constance for the Golden Halo. I supported Francis Perkins with unwavering loyalty. Now I turn to Constance with the same fidelity.
Thank you!
As others have said, the lack of Kitsch KO's Scudder. Her fans have some work to do to give her a chance another year. Where can I buy a $1 box of Sappington's Anti Fever Pills to cure me of Constance Fever?
Outbreaks of contagious diseases wreak horror and terror in communities. I'm 78 and remember the polio terror before the Salk vaccine...the iron lungs..the paralysis. Yellow fever outbreaks were worse as there were no cures, only dedicated souls like Constance and the lone prostitute. The health professionals fled the city to avoid being contaminated. I remember the stricken look on mothers' faces when a child would say: "Mama, my head hurts!"-one symptom of polio and that was in the 20th century. Today for Constance and her companions and for both bloggers.
I am also 78 years old, and remember all too well with what relief we children and our parents reached October each year without our contracting polio. I also remember beginning my chaplaincy training in the midst of the AIDS epidemic and being so grateful for our infection control training, which taught me how various diseases are spread and what to do to avoid catching them and/or spreading them. And the complicated procedures we went through when I was serving in pediatrics and we had two families whose children were suffering from tuberculosis. That was in the late twentieth century! I could not fail to vote for Constance.
Both saints were incredible and meritorious. Even though it was a tough decision, my vote goes to Vida. It is just good to see the words "Christian socialism" in print today! (I might have tipped toward Constance if I had time to try the cocktail!) Well shucks, "Constance would go" might make me regret my vote!
I voted for Vida! The strong, quiet ones should get as much ink as the more out-in-the-community ones. Those who toil in the background deserve recognition!
voted for two socialists today.
editing comment
Voted for two long shot socialists today.
I'm still laughing at "Constance." That was fun!
Anna Fitch Courie, thank you for that wonderful write up about Constance. That is the coolest collection of images for such a kitsch challenged entry that I have read. Thank you, thank you!
Thank you! Constance has been super fun to work with since the beginning. I've truly enjoyed getting to know her!
Tough to battle a saint with such a compelling slogan as Constance Would Go. How about "Go Vida Go Vida Go Go Go!"? You got my vote, Vida!
I have to go with Vida. Her social activism, dedication to others and her underrepresentation did it for me. It isn't just underrepresented with stained glass windows, its about representing people whose "differentness" is underrepresented. When I think about friends and family who are LBGT and how great they would feel to know that there is someone like them that is acknowledged and deeply respected in the Christian community - that means a lot, and tips my hand decisively.
Much as Constance (and her unnamed companions) did -- and I have voted for her until now, I agree with those who point out that the illness of society and culture can kill as many folks as yellow fever. For her work on behalf of women, the poor, and LBGTQ people (still dying or being excluded in many parts of the world -- even in the US), I voted for Vida today.
Constance would go!
I'm for Vida! The bumper sticker of reaching for the star is my choice of emblem. I think that because her work lives on, and her influence is felt by so many who are not even aware of her work, she is the definition of the hardworking woman/saint living among us unrecognized.
Words are surely important, but I vote for action every time. Constance is a great example of what Christian action meant then and means today.
Constance Would Go. I can see it on her coffee mug as this year's winner of the Golden Halo.
*fistpump*
I voted for Vida - a somewhat ratioal decision, but my heart is with Constance, so whoever wins, it's all good!