Faith and Fortitude in the Gender Frontier

Throughout the mid- to late-twentieth century, middle- and upper-class women were largely confined to the domestic sphere—cooking, caring for children, and making the home. However, with the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention and the steady increase in women’s rights activism, women gradually shifted into the public realm. Wealthy, white women especially explored male-dominated society though often still in accordance with the gendered expectations imposed on them by ideologies such as the “Cult of Domesticity.”

Born in 1816, Mary Kittera Snyder grew up amidst these rigid gender structures and changing social climate amongst Central Pennsylvania’s elite. Throughout her life, Kittera Snyder was a schoolteacher, a religious figure, and Selinsgrove’s postmaster. This exhibition spotlights Mary Kittera Snyder’s ability to blur the lines between the private and public spheres using both the national advancements in gender equality and her personal privilege.

A drawing of an older woman wearing clothing from the 20th century. She has a straight face and is sitting with her body slightly turned away from the viewer. — Mary Kittera Snyder. Image courtesy of the Charles L. Fasold Flickr Collection.

Family Lineage and Social Relations

Please note that this family tree is not extensive and excludes half-siblings. Images courtesy of Find A Grave.

Mary Kittera Snyder was born into a family known for producing well-educated politicians, lawyers, and army generals. Her grandfather, Simon Snyder, served as Pennsylvania’s governor from 1808 to 1817. Her uncle, Thomas Kittera, held a similarly respected position as the state’s attorney general from 1817 to 1818 and got her a private education at Professor Picot’s French School in Philadelphia. However, she descended not only from great men, but also from powerful women. Her grandmother, Ann Kittera, was known for her grand dinners that attracted the likes of General Marquis de Lafayette and First Lady Martha Washington. When she became widowed and bankrupt, Ann remained a force to be reckoned with, caring for her six children alone. Grandma Ann pioneered the feminine independence that Mary adopted throughout her life. These well-known relatives provided Mary with wealth, opportunities, and connections that allowed her to tread the line between the masculine and feminine spheres.

A newspaper clipping with thick black text that says "Letters Hint Buchanan Planned to Marry Mary Kittera Snyder." — “Letters Hint Buchanan Planned to Marry Mary Kittera Snyder” headline from a 1941 publication of the Lancaster New Era Newspaper. Photo courtesy of Newspapers.com

Due to her family’s high social status, Mary mingled with America’s elite. Senator James Buchanan was a close family friend, especially during Mary’s time in Philadelphia. Her uncle, Judge Thomas Kittera, often invited Buchanan to his home, where the young Mary resided. The future president played the role of foster father to her. As Mary aged, Buchanan affectionately referred to her as “his intended” and, by age seventeen, seriously pursued the teen. The couple intended to be wed but were separated due to Buchanan’s financial struggles and political life. The story of their engagement came to light in 1941 when Mrs. J.G. Forney uncovered private letters between the two. The Lancaster New Era published a report on this discovery the same year, the headline of which is seen here, illustrating Mary’s high class and her many socio-political opportunities.

Masculine Opportunities

A yellowed piece of paper that reads "Our Roll of Honor Containing all the Signatures to the 'Declaration Sentiments' set forth by the First Woman's Rights Convention held at Seneca Falls, New York July 19-20, 1848." Below this text in smaller font are three columns of names. — Signers of the “Declaration of Sentiments,” a list of grievances pertaining to gender inequality assembled at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Throughout the nineteenth century, women had few legal, social, or political rights. However, this current slowly began to shift as the group took to activism, demanding an improvement in women’s rights. The 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, held in Seneca Falls, NY, affirmed the goals of attaining the right to vote for women, employment and education opportunities, and representation in government. While this movement largely advocated for white, middle-class women, with a few members focusing their efforts on abolitionism, it served as the beginnings of the women’s suffrage movement. As is seen here, most of the signers of the Declaration of Sentiments were women. However, several men also supported the document, demonstrating the growing support for women’s rights. With these changing tides, Mary Kittera Snyder was able to transcend rigid gender segregation.

A newspaper clipping with black text that says, "Postmasters of Office Established Here 1808." In smaller font below this text are a list of the postmaster names. — “Postmasters of Office Established Here 1808.” Photo courtesy of Valley Girl Views.

Following the end of the Civil War and the inauguration of President Ulysses S. Grant, women slowly took a more active role in society. With the mass casualties of the war and many new widowers, Grant sought to provide job opportunities to women. They had a new chance at financial stability; however, could not make up for the loss of husbands, sons, and fathers. Primarily, the recipients for these positions were white, wealthy, and well-educated. Mary Kittera Snyder was no exception. In 1869, Mary became postmistress in Selinsgrove, making her the second of the borough, as can be seen in the list of postmasters since 1808. Not only did her family’s wealth and status land her the job, but it also helped her keep it. She often butted heads with the town’s politicians, making her widely unpopular in the role. However, her father’s past kindness to Senator Simon Cameron ensured that she was able to remain as Selinsgrove’s postmistress “…to the great annoyance…” of the town’s people.

Feminine Expectations

A drawing of an interior scene featuring a mother holding an infant and two older children sitting in front of them. Below the scene is typed text that says "The Sphere of Woman." — “The Sphere of Woman” published in Godey’s Lady’s Book from 1850. Photo courtesy of Uncle Tom’s Cabin & American Culture Multi-Media Archive.

This drawing, originally published in Godey’s Lady’s Book (1850), illuminates the expectations for women during the mid-nineteenth century. Godey’s Lady’s Book was one of the many tools that helped spread and develop the “Cult of Domesticity,” affirming the woman’s place in the home. Additionally, it urged women to abide by the tenets of purity, piety, submissiveness, and domesticity. These oppressive values impacted the lives of middle-class white women in America, despite social pushback against them. Artists depicted women in the private sphere, upholding these moral standards. This young woman sits and watches her children play within the home. Her connection, and the connection of all middle-class white women, to domestic life is thus established.

A newspaper headline written in thick black text that says "Eventful History of First Sunday School." Below the title is a subtitle written in smaller black font. — “Eventful History of First Sunday School” from The Selinsgrove Times.

Mary Kittera Snyder’s understanding of the expectations set forth for women can be seen in her tendency towards domestic roles, even outside of the home. After returning to Selinsgrove from Philadelphia, Mary sought to share the joys of education with the next generation. Working alongside a woman named Aunty Fishbaugh, she created a private school inside of Mary’s home, hosting private lessons for the area’s youth. Mary also founded and ran one of the early Sunday schools in the area, her dedication to which was recounted in a 1921 publication in The Selinsgrove Times. During the nineteenth century, far more women than men pursued the teaching profession, due to their role as children’s caretakers. Not only did Mary fulfill a maternal role by becoming a teacher, but the location of her school inside of her home also connected her to the private sphere through her public profession.

A bronze plaque with gold font that says "In Loving Memory of Mary K. Snyder If You Would See Her Monument, Look Around You." — Memorial plaque for Mary Kittera Snyder in All Saints Episcopal Church. Photo courtesy of Alex Gabriel.

Despite her overwhelmingly independent life, Mary’s role in the public often aligned with the expectations placed on women. One such tenet was that of piety, a moral that Mary abided by throughout her life. After attending Professor Picot’s French School in Philadelphia, Mary spent much of her life in the city, actively engaged in “church-work of various kinds.” After returning to Selinsgrove in 1861, her involvement in the Episcopal church only grew. Over twenty years later in 1889, Mary granted Selinsgrove’s Episcopal Reverend a piece of land with a house and barn to be used for prayer. Shortly after, in 1890 and 1891, services were held in Mary’s living room until she funded the building of Snyder County’s first Episcopal church, All Saints Episcopal Church. Although she died before its completion, her commitment to piety is memorialized in the finished church seen here that “…will stand long to tell of her good deeds in the Christian work.”