Okay. Please turn to pages 87 and 88 in the November/December 2022 issue of Tea Time. Did you know about this bit of political history involving tea? I did not!
What? You don't subscribe? Or your issue hasn't arrived yet? Okay, well, here's the deal: There's an article titled "How Tea Swayed Voters in 1952," and it's all about how John F. Kennedy's Senate campaign had a grassroots effort to hold tea parties that would be attended by Kennedy or his family members. Katherine Ellis writes, "Elegant invitations were sent to women who 'made the list,' but if a woman who wished to attend wasn't initially invited, she could contact the Kennedy campaign office and be added to said list. The teas were held in private homes and hotels, often on Sundays, and women would dress to the nines to drink tea poured from silver urns and savor delicate finger foods with the opportunity to be graced with the presence of the illustrious family."
The article says the first Kennedy Tea was held at the Bancroft Hotel in Worcester, Massachusetts, and nearly 5,000 people showed up—4,000 more than they'd planned for—and all got to shake hands with a member of the Kennedy family. Some 33 of these teas were held.
And of course Kennedy would go on to win that Senate seat and later the presidency. I am just flabbergasted that I have never heard of these Kennedy Teas before. Have any of you? Do you know anyone who attended a Kennedy Tea? I am thoroughly fascinated by this bit of history!
I think having "Candidate Teas" would be a much better idea than all the political propaganda advertising that is done these days!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! (And no unsolicited texts. Just got through deleting one before I even bothered to see who it was from!)
ReplyDeleteNo, I never heard of those Kennedy Teas! I'm glad the Tea Time magazine has an article about them. I did get to see John Kennedy in person when he came to the airport in Paducah, Kentucky, during his presidential campaign. I was only 11 years old at the time and was very excited to see him.
ReplyDeleteI found it fascinating also. And I don't remember ever hearing of these tea times.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Kennedy Teas, but it's much more fascinating than the things they do now a days.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Ginger!
ReplyDelete