I’m not one to deny my guilt in all of the modern world’s most superficial pleasures: the minimal effort of “happy birthday” on a friend’s Facebook page, the impatience at the 90 seconds it takes to microwave a Hot Pocket, the occasional text snuck under a restaurant table, etc. What can I say? I’m a 21st Century girl.
Why then, I’m sure you are wondering, would a thoroughly modern young lady volunteer herself to the sandstone house at 1340 Pennsylvania Street? Perhaps I inquired into this opportunity because the interests which drove Margaret Brown also resonate with me. I do have a love of foreign languages, animal welfare, and women’s equality. But I believe I came here because Mrs. Brown, in all of the aforementioned aspects, was better than me. Okay, perhaps not fundamentally better; but she was definitely more active and motivated. While she dedicated herself to the study of five foreign languages, I decide reviewing my Mandarin studies is nowhere nearly as important as finishing my latest Netflix binge. I could log hours at the animal shelter today, or I could spend the next two hours scrolling through my Facebook feed. Either way, my volunteering efforts haven’t equaled Margaret Brown’s part in creating the first non-kill animal shelter in Denver. Perhaps my volunteer work with the Molly Brown House Museum was not simply to improve my education in curation, tutelage, and preservation. Perhaps I also seek a boost of character, with the invisible and lasting presence of Margaret Brown as my mentor. If a woman could accomplish goals across so many diverse causes, without the modern speed of technology or even the right to vote, then I have no excuse to be passive.
This was day one for me. Already, I not only felt the urge to admire this woman for everything she’d accomplished, but I had a slightly-competitive instinct to become like her myself. If I push myself to be more motivated and passionate in my everyday life – if I could learn those Chinese lessons or log those hours at the animal shelter – then I could even become the 21st Century’s own “Molly” Brown. Furthermore, my chief duty here is to share this empowering legacy with those I guide and inspire in her name. No, I am definitely not well-versed enough to lead my own tour yet.
But I am itching for the day when I am ready to start doing so. I want to ignite in others, adults and children alike, the philanthropic and social spirit Margaret Brown encompassed. I can only hope that by the end of the summer, those whom I’ve led through Mrs. Brown’s house will reflect upon me and think, “Wow
Allison with our lovely polar bear, Iceberg
, she really is a motivated, energetic, and enlightened young woman.”
So for the meantime, I’ll shut off the Netflix, promise to only text my mom, give Facebook a rest. Now, I have a goal in mind. Not only keep “Molly” Brown’s story alive, but her character as well. Thanks for reading, and I look forward to your future visits!
Allison Head, Tulane University
Summer Volunteer at the Molly Brown House Museum