The Poppy Lady’s Lasting Legacy

There a some people that make a difference in military life without ever donning a uniform. This is the case for Moina Belle Michael, the Ivy League-educated military child and wartime volunteer who became the Poppy Lady. 

On this episode to the Deeply Rooted, Planting Roots Publishing Director Morgan Farr shares the life and the lessons we can learn from Moina Belle Michael, the daughter of a Confederate soldier. Moina grew up during the Reconstruction era in the post Civil War South and saw first hand how difficult it was for veterans and their families to recover from the devastation of war.  

Moina’s favorite motto was, “Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might;” which comes from Ecclesiastes 9:10. The full verse says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.” What a fitting verse for a woman who spent the second half of her life helping veterans and memorizing the dead. 

Hear the full story on this months Women of the Word Wednesday.  While you are there, pursue our blog to hear more inspirational stories of women impacting generations of military families. 

You can find the two poems shared in this episode here, In Flanders Feild by John McCrae and We Shall Keep the Faith by Moina Belle Michael.