August 4, 2023: SiblingStudying: The Eaton Sisters

[On August2nd, this AmericanStudier’s amazing youngersister celebrates her birthday. So this week in her honor I’llAmericanStudy interesting American siblings!]

On two columnswhere I’ve highlighted the amazing Eaton sisters, and one thing I’d add here.

I’ve longcalled Sui Sin Far (the literary pen name of Edith Maude Eaton) one of myfavorite American authors (and Americans period), and I made that case in thiscolumn for the American Writers Museum.

I hadn’thad as much of a chance to think about her equally talented and perhaps evenmore influential sister Onoto Watanna (the literary pen name of WinnifredEaton) until I researched and wrote this SaturdayEvening Post Considering History column(which also features their sister Sara Eaton Bosse, with whom Watanna wrote the1914 Chinese-Japanese Cookbook).

I hopethose columns are more than enough to convince you all of the uniqueness andimpressiveness of this set of multiracial American siblings. But the one thingI’d add is this: I really, really shouldn’t have to, because they shouldalready be as famous as any American literary or cultural family. The fact thatthey are not is a) one of so many layers to the frustrating, continuingexclusions of Asian Americans from our collective memories; and b) one of somany reasons why I’m determined to do everything I can to challenge and changethat trend. Which can start with all of us celebrating the Eaton sisters, todayand every day!

Specialtribute post this weekend,

Ben

PS. Whatdo you think? Sibling stories you’d highlight?