The Titanic story—with some help from Hollywood—has ensured that
the story of “Molly” Brown will remain firmly inscribed in
history. But what should we remember about the real life story
of Margaret Tobin Brown? Here are five things that should remain
in the history books. One: Like many women of her time, Margaret
was largely self-educated. She attended grammar school until age
thirteen, then went to work stripping tobacco leaves at the
Garth tobacco factory. When she arrived in Leadville as a young
woman, she began her education in earnest and studied with a
tutor for three hours each day. She was one of the first women
to attend the Carnegie Institute in New York, which was founded
on the belief that anyone—regardless of gender, race, or
economic or social status—could go to college. Margaret became
fluent in several languages and lectured around the country on
literature and politics.