67 Comments
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Wendy Varley's avatar

Congratulations on your second Substackversary, Ann, and deserved success. Always an interesting read.

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Many thanks Wendy. Great to have got to know you here, I love your writing too.

Jill Swenson's avatar

Congrats!

Diana van Eyk's avatar

Congratulations, Ann, on your anniversary and on your site's remarkable growth.

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Thank you Diana! Much appreciated.

Sarah lonsdale's avatar

Wonderful Ann, a huge achievement!

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Thank you Sarah! Very glad to have you as my guest writer. Hope your work is going well.

Sarah lonsdale's avatar

Yes! Both Rebel Women and Wildly Different coming out in paperback in April. Just been writing the new prefaces!

Allie's avatar

Congratulations, Ann. It's been such a pleasure catching up with your archive since I subscribed, and catching up this weekend on about two months' worth of engaging posts... Hopping back now to comment on Mrs Miniver and more!

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Thanks so much for your support, Allie. That reminds me, I'll need to start thinking about the next novel on my list! But I will never tire of discussing Mrs Miniver. Looking forward to your comments.

John pierce's avatar

I have never been to England (Scotland yes with my 18 y/o daughter for the fringe festival) but hanging with you ladies gives me a good taste of what I have missed.

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Haha thank you John! And of course I should say, everyone is very welcome. I appreciate your lovely message.

Victoria K. Walker's avatar

Many congratulations on your much deserved success, Ann 🎉

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Thanks so much, Victoria.

Emma Darwin's avatar

Congatulations! I love your Substack. (Come to think of it, we're practically Substack twins, aren't we!)

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Gosh, so we are, Emma! Congrats to you too. I did enjoy your birthday post (and all of the others too!)

Emma Darwin's avatar

Thank you! Much enjoying yours.

Larry Bone's avatar

I understand your wanting to have enough research completed on Susila Bonnerjee and how it was for her at Cambridge. And maybe there is limited time for further research in order to keep a schedule for consistently regular posts. There is probably not as much documentation on the Cambridge side. But maybe there might be more on the India side from an Indian British historian with close ties to universities in India on this kind of study or suggestions of where to look if you haven't already do.. It's always good ask concerning almost anything. I was reading of a Dr. Sumita Mukherjee at Bristol University who might have some ideas. I think she can be reached at the following email:

sumita.mukherjee@bristol.ac.uk

If this doesn't work I will understand. I think brilliant women are often unnoticed, India is relatively unnoticed and the contributions of brilliant women from India are very unnoticed. Any notice, acknowledgement or appreciation is very welcome in our sometimes topsy-turvy world where only the dedicated efforts of a small number of women and men keep our world going and keeps us existing.

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Thanks Larry! Good to have that contact for more in-depth research in the future, fingers crossed. Dr Mukherjee's work sounds very interesting.

Yasmin Chopin's avatar

You've built an amazing archive, Ann, and it's lovely to see your success in two short years. I was so pleased to meet you in Cambridge because I totally enjoy reading your posts. Many good wishes for the upcoming year!

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Thank you Yasmin! It was great to meet you, and I love your writing too. Glad your move has brought fresh inspiration.

Alison Baxter's avatar

Happy anniversary, Ann. Very glad you introduced me to Substack.

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

So pleased, Alison! You are a natural.

Tash's avatar

Congrats Ann. Yours is one of my favourite newsletters.

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Thanks so much, Jan, I feel vey honoured and love your writing too.

Jan Cipolla's avatar

Congratulations, Ann, and thank you for another year of Cambridge Ladies’ Dining Society. Your brilliant research and clear, engaging writing make your Substack a favorite. I also want to express my gratitude for mentioning Francis Partridge’s diaries in one of your previous posts. I finished the first volume, ’39-‘45, and look forward to reading the next one. What a remarkable account of the war years, and so beautifully written.

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Oh I'm so pleased that you enjoyed Frances Partridge's wartime diary, Jan. It is a wonderful series of books, though sad at times, but always beautifully written and such an interesting record of her times. Thanks for all your wonderful support!

Emily Midorikawa's avatar

Congratulations Ann! Your writing continually adds interest and brightness to my inbox. Thank you for introducing me to so many interesting women from history.

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Thanks so much Emily! I really appreciate your kind words and loyal support as a fellow writer over the years. Hope your next project is going well.

Larry Bone's avatar

Ann,

Congrats on your second anniversary at Substack. I have really enjoyed your writing concerning women at Cambridge. I am particularly interested in your post concerning Susila Bonnerjee. It must have been difficult to research all about her. There seems to be very little information about her and I wonder if she is more well known in India? I am always searching for people like her to find out about because I see her legacy whenever I meet and talk with women and men from India. Was at a Hindi language film screening at a New York City movie theater five years ago and met two women doctors from India who are working in New York City hospitals. They are Susila's legacy. There are also the English women of Cambridge and I feel that Partition would never have happened if Edwina or Lady Mountbatten had been Viceroy instead of Vicerene. That could be wishful thinking but she did champion relief efforts after the all the disease that arose after Partition. Best wishes for Cambridge Ladies Dining Society going into the future!

Best regards,

Larry

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Many thanks for your kind words, Larry. The Bonnerjees were an impressive family, and very keen on education. I have hesitated a little with writing about them as my research isn't extensive (and I'm not qualified to comment on the Mountbattens) but I do want to share what has been discovered about the sisters' Cambridge connections.

Jonathan Crain's avatar

Happy anniversary, Ann. A remarkable achievement in two short years. 👏

Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Thanks so much Jonathan, I hope I am not too prolific a poster! I really appreciate having you as a reader, and I learn a lot from your excellent posts.