As the New Year arrives, I wanted to share a message of resilience inspired by the remarkable lives of Leadville's Baby Doe and Silver Dollar Tabor during the years 1915 to 1932. Their story isn't a sermon; it’s a powerful lesson in creating your own light when everything else has gone dark.
The Tabor women prove that even when life forces a constant retreat—from wealth to poverty, from the city to a cold mine shack—the ability to find beauty and build a future remains entirely in your hands.
The Leadville Mindset: Self-Reliance as Gold đź’–
Baby Doe and Silver Dollar understood that their only reliable asset was their own tenacity.
- Baby Doe's Vow (Leadville, 1915): Baby Doe greeted the New Year by renewing her fierce commitment to the Matchless Mine. This was an intense, solitary act of self-discipline. She proved that strength isn't about what you possess, but about the unshakeable loyalty you show to your own commitments. She relied on faith and her personal promise to Horace to get her through the bleak mountain winters.
- Silver Dollar’s Creative Fire (Chicago & Denver, 1918-1932): Silver Dollar took the notorious, burdensome name "Tabor" and, through pure creative force, turned it into a sensational stage name. Her New Year was dedicated to action and creation. She didn't wait for handouts; she used her courage and talent—performing daring acts like the "Slide For Life" and exotic dances—to build a self-funded career across the Midwest Vaudeville circuit. She proved that you can redefine your past by controlling your present performance.
Embrace Your Own Light
This year, take inspiration from their extraordinary self-reliance:
- Be a Creator: If the stage isn't set for you, build your own. Use your skills and courage to shape the opportunities you want.
- Own Your Story: Your journey, with all its highs and lows, is your most unique and powerful asset. Own it, and use its dramatic strength to move forward.
- Look Upward: In moments of difficulty, focus on what you can control—your faith, your effort, your commitment. The most valuable things in life are those that are internal and enduring.
May your New Year be defined by action, confidence, and the enduring light you create for yourself.
Wishing you a resilient and creative New Year,
Rebecca
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