"As the forerunner of today's popular advice columnists, Elizabeth Meriwether Gilmer (1861-1951), writing under the pen name "Dorothy Dix," was America's highest paid and most widely read female journalist at the time of her death. Her advice on love and marriage was syndicated in newspapers around the world. One of her most famous columns was her Dictates for a Happy Life. With an estimated audience of 60 million readers, she became a popular and recognized figure on her travels abroad."
This one paragraph from the Austin Peay State University Dorothy Dix Collection website sums up her life of hard work and the advice she gave millions of people. It does not begin to offer you a real glimpse into his remarkable woman's life. To achieve that you could read books by her (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0008CTRLS/qid=1118540744/sr=8-9/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i9_xgl14/103-7136295-3319802?v=glance&s=books&n=507846), books about her (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007DLVH6/qid=1118540744/sr=8-7/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i7_xgl14/103-7136295-3319802?v=glance&s=books&n=507846), her dictates for a happy life (http://library.apsu.edu/dix/happy.htm), or you could do what I did and turn to the theater (http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050608/LIFESTYLE/506080307/1024).
In the last few months I have enjoyed greatly attending the different shows and experiencing the magic and different viewpoints (http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050610/ENTERTAINMENT/506100302&SearchID=73210878384456) that theater allows us to partake in from afar.
The Roxy Regional Theater (http://www.roxyregionaltheatre.org/) opened this week it's second excursion into the life of Dorothy Dix. The first was in 1992 when they premiered the original Dorothy Dix Speaks. Dorothy Dix Speaks (again!) (http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050608/LIFESTYLE/506080307/1024) also by John Mcdonald ran from the 8th of June to tonight. I went and saw it last night and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I knew that my 12 year old niece would love it as well. So I made arrangements to take her to tonights final showing. The acting was excellent. I wish to commend each of the actors and actresses for such a enchanting evening
Director and author John Mcdonald also played a role in the play during which he once again showed his innate style and humor.
Dorothy Dix was played by Leslie Greene who's performance of Miss Dix will be her last. She started starring in shows at the Roxy during it's initial season in 1983 and played Dorothy Dix in the 1992 show as well. She will be much missed.
Frank Burrows was played by Thad Wallus, a needed counterweight with which to balance the show in regards to the the excellent performance from Leslie Greene.
A great amount of wit was provided Alisha Julian who is fresh off her role in Beauty and the beast as Mrs Potts, the lovable teapot. Alisha played the role of a Southern black woman from the 1930's without giving in to stereotypes such a role often entails.
Amber Wallace, John Mcdonald, Elizabeth Hadden, and RJ Gossett brought the columns answered and stories reported on by Ms. Dix during her career to life and ensured that the play had the action and life needed to keep the audience constantly on the edge of their seats.
They recorded the final show my only hope is that they seriously consider offering DVD's of this captivating show. I would be very happy to buy one whatever the cost.
References:
http://library.apsu.edu/dix/dix.htm
http://search.eb.com/women/articles/Gilmer_Elizabeth_Meriwether.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007DLVH6
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0008CTRLS
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050608/LIFESTYLE/506080307/1024
A few quotes :)
"So many persons think divorce a panacea for every ill, who find out, when they try it, that the remedy is worse than the disease"
~Dorothy Dix
"You never saw a very busy person who was unhappy."
~Dorothy Dix
"Nobody wants to kiss when they are hungry."
~Dorothy Dix
"Confession is always weakness. The grave soul keeps its own secrets, and takes its own punishment in silence."
~Dorothy Dix
"There isn't a single human being who hasn't plenty to cry over, and the trick is to make the laughs outweigh the tears."
~Dorothy Dix
"Happiness is largely a matter of self-hypnotism. You can think yourself happy or you can think yourself miserable."
~Dorothy Dix
"It is only the women whose eyes have been washed clear with tears who get the broad vision that makes them little sisters to all the world."
~Dorothy Dix
"It is a queer thing, but imaginary troubles are harder to bear than actual ones."
~Dorothy Dix
"The jealous bring down the curse they fear upon their own heads"
~Dorothy Dix
"The price of indulging yourself in your youth in the things you cannot afford is poverty and dependence in your old age."
~Dorothy Dix
"We are never happy until we learn to laugh at ourselves."
~Dorothy Dix
It is only the women whose eyes have been washed clear with tears who get the broad vision that makes them little sisters to all the world.
~Dorothy Dix
"The comfortable and comforting people are those who look upon the bright side of life; gathering its roses and sunshine, and making the most that happens seem the best."
~Dorothy Dix
For in all the world there are no people so piteous and forlorn as those who are forced to eat the bitter bread of dependency in their old age, and find how steep are the stairs of another man's house. Wherever they go they know themselves unwelcome. Wherever they are, they feel themselves a burden. There is no humiliation of the spirit they are not forced to endure. Their hearts are scarred all over with the stabs from cruel and callous speeches.
~Dorothy Dix