"Everyone in This Picture Is Dead"

When I was writing The Neglected Giant: Agnes Meyer Driscoll, I often had this picture up in the background, and would often look at it.  (It can be found in the linked document on p. 56.)  Usually when I looked, the title of this entry would come to mind at some point.

I liked looking at the picture as a window on the world I was writing about, and to admire young Agnes Meyer's fierce intelligence and determination, still blazing out of the picture over a century later.

And, as I wrote it, I found much to admire about her.  A great American, never known and now nearly forgotten, this country owes her much, and I was glad to shine a light on her.  She accomplished so much despite so many obstacles.

Which is not to whitewash her.  She made mistakes, the kind rivals could use against her and certainly did.  Intelligence and determination are worth admiring, but they don't eliminate error.

But overall I found her far more admirable than not.  I was determined on my own part to tell her story with honesty and accuracy; she deserved no less and I'm sure wouldn't have wanted it otherwise.  I like to think I succeeded.

Still, the picture I looked at did influence me in one direction.  I kept looking at a picture of people and seeing good, honest folk, more than one of whom served her country and served it well.

"Everyone in this picture is dead."  As I wrote, I strove for honesty and accuracy.  But I aimed for one more thing.  I tried not to be unkind.

Agnes Meyer Driscoll began her Navy civilian career on 1 August 1919, 100 years ago today.