Shortly after graduating from college, Esther A. Howland started a handmade Valentine’s Day card business in her home in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1847. She was inspired by an English greeting card that was sent to her. The business grew to be very successful. Esther even had to hire a staff to help with the orders. The cards were made with imported lace paper, flower decorations, ribbons, and other beautiful details. She gave each worker a task and formed an assembly line to put the cards together. Esther looked over all of the final creations to ensure they met her quality standards. To help customers personalize a card, she developed a book of 131 verses which could be cut out and then inserted or attached to the card. Esther Howland sold the business and retired around 1880 so that she could take care of her ailing father.

Before learning about her story, I never thought twice about how Valentine’s Day became such a commercial phenomenon. To find out a woman played a role in the history of this holiday is worthy of note. I honor Esther Howland as a Lady of Influence for her entrepreneurial spirit and work to spread love through handmade craft.

Esther Howland (1828-1904)

Esther Howland, “Mother of the American Valentine.” (Image courtesy American Antiquarian Society) http://gigi.mwa.org/

Source: Emotions Greeting Cards Museum

Read more about Esther Howland at here.