Remember What You're Made Of

The Legacy of Strength That Shaped Generations

While history often remembers the presidents and pioneers of industry, it was women like Gertrude "Peg" Potter Hendricks who marched alongside them, their many accomplishments too often fading into the margins.
Born on an Ohio dairy farm in 1907, Peg Hendricks would go on to improve the lives of untold numbers of Ohioans over the course of her storied career.
After being tragically widowed during the Great Depression, she drew upon her master’s degree in home economics and an inherent competitive streak to become a force for social good.
This book details her vital work supervising New Deal programs, her critical role organizing around-the-clock childcare centers during World War II, and her celebrated 25-year tenure as the Director of Family Life Education in Youngstown.
A true innovator, Peg tackled the most pressing issues of her day, from nutrition and household budgeting to juvenile delinquency and sex education, leaving an indelible mark on her community.
Remember What You’re Made Of is the definitive account of a pragmatic and resourceful leader whose work strengthened the very fabric of American family life..

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Reviews

" I was given a copy to read by the granddaughter of this amazing woman. When I heard about the endeavor to accumulate and organize the memories together to be published, I voiced my interest in reading it as soon as that was accomplished.

What a legacy left by Mrs. Oscar Hendricks! Otherwise known as "Peg". The pictures in the book are priceless (see the one of Eleanor Roosevelt visiting the WPA), but more importantly the book contains the story of a woman, who with the prompting of her father at the moment of extreme crisis, encouraged her to "remember what you're made of".

Her story can be and is an inspiration to anyone going through a tough trial, loss of a loved one, loss of a job or relationship, etc. Plus, you learn a significant amount about the history of the organizations and endeavors that Peg was associated with and led throughout her professional career. What a difference she made in so many lives in the state of Ohio and beyond, and to her family that lives to tell about her amazing life. " - Lamont

Remember What You’re Made Of was a wonderful read. The story of a very strong woman, Peg, who survived widowhood,The Great Depression, raising two sons on her own, and so many other difficult circumstances. This was a truly inspiring story about the life of a courageous determined woman.

In reading about Peg’s life and her accomplishments, I better understand the origins of the social programs developed during The Great Depression. I now know that these programs had less to do with handouts and more to do with education and building up communities and people. They were more focused on bringing people together, working together, and helping each other for the sake of everyone and the communities they lived in.

The strength and determination of Peg to bring about change and find solutions to problems astounded me. She not only helped the working woman but all women, homemakers, families educators, children, and communities. Her efforts were extraordinary and we can still see them continuing today. - Donna

"I started reading and couldn't put it down! She loved him so much and had him for so short a period of time."

"I absolutely loved it! I can't believe all that she accomplished and saw in her lifetime."