In the News: Women of Holliston
We were delighted to be featured in the local Holliston newspaper in an article entitled “Women of Holliston: Past, Present & Future” and written by Jessica Ommen. The historic connection to Holliston / Medway’s Kate Sunburn (1839-1917) took our breath away ~ as a farm girl, book lover and someone deeply committed to to “opening the paths of independent work for women.”.
Thank you Jessica for swinging such a beautiful light through this article.
Women of Holliston: Past, Present & Future
“March is Women’s History Month, and we are celebrating the women who have shaped Holliston’s past, present, and future. From a trailblazing scholar to an inspirational business leader to a history-making 8-year-old, we honor these pioneering women of Holliston.
Kate Sanborn (1839-1917)
Sanborn was a prolific writer, scholar, and teacher. Born in Hanover, NH to Mary Ann Webster Sanborn, whom Dartmouth College’s Sanborn House is named after, she was educated almost exclusively by her father.
Sanborn began supporting herself at the age of 17 with her written work and went on to land teaching roles at Mary Institute, Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn, and Smith College in its early days. From there, she went on a lecturing tour, eventually writing over 40 lectures. Among her best-known works was Adopting an Abandoned Farm, which she wrote about when she settled into an abandoned farm in Holliston, near the present-day Fatima Shrine.
At the farm, she continued writing, practicing agriculture, and hosting social gatherings surrounded by books. Her brother once described her as ‘a pioneer in opening the paths of independent work for women.’
Sanborn eventually moved her farm to current-day Medway, which is where Erin Defoyd began her journey into what she calls ‘the wilderness.’
Erin Defoyd
Much like Sanborn, Defoyd opened her barn doors to friends, family, and community members for over a decade, creating a space where people could gather, collaborate, and connect.
From Defoyd’s backyard barn grew a movement and, in 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, she opened the doors to the old bank building in the center of Holliston. Creating a space for connection during a time of mandated quarantines may have seemed impossible, but Defoyd pivoted her business to focus on the retail-side long enough to keep the lights on. And in February 2021, she was finally able to open the doors and create the space for connection that everyone, at the time, desperately needed.
Today, if you drive through the center of town at night, most of the business windows will be dark, but so often Erin’s light is still on. Inviting the community to gather and make the old bank building a space for everyone to share.
But the building isn’t where Defoyd’s story lies. Her mark on Holliston lies within her ability to inspire and motivate women, many of whom are just beginning to dive into their own business ventures whether they are leaving a corporate job behind, are empty nesters, or anything in between.
‘I care deeply about community and connection, sisterhood and stories, and I believe that there is tremendous beauty and growth when we gather, share, listen, learn and love one another.’
At a recent gathering, Defoyd spoke about her corporate career, ‘Nobody was ever interested in getting to know you as a person.’ That is precisely what makes Erin’s space so special: it is a place for women and business owners to network on a personal level. Instead of focusing solely on professional credentials, she has created an environment that gives women the freedom to be their authentic selves in their work; a space where deep meaningful friendships can blossom.
Her space isn’t just for business owners. Women gather in the old bank building to shop, connect, learn, and inspire. Since opening the doors, Erin has hosted events that give back to the community in meaningful ways. This fall, she partnered with Holliston Youth and Family Services to create a series of ‘Tough Topic Parent Meet-Ups.’ She has also partnered with members to host a Women’s Winter Clothing Drive supporting the Safe Exit Initiative which supports women who have been rescued from sex trafficking.
Defoyd’s passion and commitment to helping women ascend in their work and their personal lives is an inspiration and a gift to the Holliston community.
‘I did not create this space for me…I created it for us…a collective us,’ she says, ‘This is your space to collect, imagine, and create. Together, we’ll brave the wilderness as we share our passion, stories, gifts and talents.’
Andreina Gratton
Like the talented 8-year-old Andreina Gratton who is shaping the future of Holliston sports. Last fall, Andreina was recognized as Holliston’s first female to score a touchdown for Holliston Youth Football. Andreina’s accomplishment is an inspiration to young girls and women alike, especially her mother, Shannon Gratton who wanted to play football as a child.
‘I always thought it would be cool to start a girl’s football league. It never occurred to me to play with the boys!’ she said through proud eyes. ‘Between her [Andreina’s] teammates and coaches, they don’t even blink an eye, they just accept her.’
According to her mother, Andreina played flag football the past few years and couldn’t wait to start tackle like her older brothers. On the day of her touchdown, Andreina was playing quarterback. Her mother recalls her coach saying, ‘This is your chance,’ and she ran it in, making history in Holliston.
Currently, Andreina is one of two girls in the league. Registration for the fall opens on March 1st and her mother, who serves as President of Holliston Youth Football, encourages boys and girls of all ages to register.
From the fields of Kate Sanford’s Breezy Meadow Farm to the Holliston football field these Holliston trailblazers are not just an integral part of Holliston’s history, they are an inspiration to girls and women across generations.”