Spinsterhood of the Traveling Pants

As June is unofficially deemed "Wedding Season," there borage of couples joining in wedded bliss seems overwhelming. Especially for us single folk. Not to take away any joy of those fortunate enough to find their "person," actually I hi-five those who have and will gladly take part in the merriment of their unions. But it does kind of make you look at your own life and think, "Why not me?" And being the over-dramatic darling that I am, I look towards a life of eternal spinsterhood. This, of course, led me to wonder about my fellow maids-without-men, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised at the plethora of extraordinary women in my company.

Queen Elizabeth I is quite possibly the very first sovereign people mention when listing the most influential rulers in history. She was crowned and assumed the throne at the age of 25, restored England to a thriving, prosperous, and powerful nation but still maintained her personal solitude. Despite her controversial marital status, she enjoyed her life. She made it common knowledge to Parliament and the Privy Council that she would listen to their concerns and heed their advice when it came to the state of England, but she was still going to live her life the way she saw fit.

Jane Austen is as prominent on summer reading lists as Shakespeare and Hemmingway. Although she only published six novels, a significantly parse showing in comparison with authors cited as often, she is still seen as one of the greatest authors of all time. When her niece wrote her for romantic advice, she replied with a simple and concise answer: if she didn't love him, she shouldn't marry him. Jane herself had one person that she truly cared for but due to family obligations and interference, the pair was separated. She accepted the proposal from one man, the son of a family friend but ended the engagement the next day, heeding her own advice. She lived her life, did what she loved, and never looked back.

Other lifelong singles worth mentioning are Emily Bronte, Sappho, Queen Christina of Sweden, Florence Nightingale, Rosa Luxemburg, Joan of Arc, Emily Dickinson, Louisa May Alcott, Helen Keller, Elizabeth Blackwell, Jane Goodaal, Diane Keaton, and Condoleeza Rise (political affiliation aside).

So if it is my destiny to remain the single maid, then I'll continue living my life, doing what I love, and I'll wear the Spinster badge with pride.