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My Grandmother is the greatest feminist I know. Helen Lampron born September the 14th, 1937 wouldn’t necessarily seem like the cookie cutter feminist that you might have expected. She is average size, sturdy looking, and slowing down as she is reaching her advanced age. She is also the toughest, most inspiring role model anyone could ask for. Grandma Helen as we call her has always been a bit eccentric; she is full of crazy ideas and never backs down from a challenge. She still to this day drives herself along with her dog and cat back and forth from New Hampshire to Florida each year independently. She was trained as a nurse and volunteered with the Coast Guard Auxiliary until she reached 60. She spends most days paddling out to an island in the lake she lives near to pick some wild blueberries. She is also a two time cancer survivor. Gram is full of amazing stories, but her most incredible one is the story of raising my father. Ralph Christopher Marche was born on March 25, 1958 to a single mother. She had become pregnant form a man who had claimed he was going to marry her until his mother forbid him to do so because Helen was not of Greek descent. Once she realized that she was going to have to raise her son alone she knew something had to be done. At this time it was still considered indecent to raise a child out of wedlock, she knew the type of scrutiny she and her unborn child would face if it ever came to it. She however was also unwilling
to marry unless she knew it would be the right man for her as well as for her child. Helen then decided she could do it all on her own, she convinced a lawyer to legally change her name to Marche in order to be able to convince concerned eyes that she was raising a legitimate child as a widow. She then had my father and raised him all by herself. They traveled cross country a few times and had more adventures than most people could dream of. She is a continual source of inspiration for my entire family. She truly epitomizes a stong female who doesn't need any male support to be successful. Though she was willing to change her name in order to allow my father a better life she always knew she would be all he ever needed.
Strong Family Roots