I am pleased with the strides our civilization has made in 2022, recognizing that progress comes in various forms. While acknowledging that certain aspects of the past were better, it’s crucial to highlight that some elements of bygone eras belong precisely where they are, in the past.
In the 19th century, “freak shows” were a popular attraction, considered a regular part of American society. These mobile circuses showcased individuals deemed “odd”, such as bearded women and Siamese twins. Mary Ann Bevan, labeled the “Ugliest Woman in the World”, emerged as one of these attractions, and her poignant life story emphasizes the need to remember and learn from such historical missteps.
While human curiosity about individuals with different ethnicities or physical abilities has existed throughout history, exploiting them for profit is ethically wrong, regardless of the time period. In the 19th century, audiences flocked to witness people with deformities in “freak shows”, an unsettling trend that persisted from the 1840s to the 1940s without widespread moral objection.
Mary Ann Bevan’s story unfolded in this challenging period. Born as Mary Ann Webster on December 20, 1874, in Plaistow, East London, she grew up in a working-class household, one of eight children. Unlike her brothers, who found employment when they reached adulthood, Mary Ann pursued education, graduating from medical school and beginning her career as a nurse in 1894.
Her life took a positive turn when she married Thomas Bevan in 1902, and together, they experienced the joys of raising four children. However, tragedy struck after 14 years of marriage when Thomas suffered a stroke and passed away. Left alone with her children, Mary Ann faced additional challenges as she grappled with a rare condition known as acromegaly, which affected her physical appearance.
Acromegaly, characterized by the overproduction of growth hormone, leads to enlarged body tissues and bones. Mary Ann exhibited symptoms around the age of 32, and with limited knowledge about the condition at the time, she struggled to find help. Unlike the typical manifestation of acromegaly after puberty, Mary Ann’s ailment affected her face, altering her features.
Despite her hardships, Mary Ann initially found solace in her family and received support from her husband. However, after Thomas’s death, the disease’s impact worsened, rendering her unemployable due to her changed appearance. Desperate to provide for her children, Mary Ann responded to a newspaper advertisement seeking the “Ugliest woman” for a circus.
Claude Bartram, an agent for Barnum and Bailey, selected Mary Ann based on her photograph and offered her a contract that included a weekly salary, travel expenses, and proceeds from picture postcard sales. Mary Ann’s journey to America in 1920 marked the beginning of her fame as “The Ugliest Woman on Earth”, with appearances at the Coney Island Circus.
Despite objections to the morality of using individuals with physical differences for entertainment, Mary Ann became a sensation, earning significant income. The financial success allowed her to provide her children with education in England, fulfilling her commitment as a devoted mother. Mary Ann’s resilience and sacrifice epitomize true beauty and maternal love.
Returning to France in 1925 for an exhibition, Mary Ann spent the remainder of her life in New York, working at the Coney Island Dreamland Show. She passed away in 1933 from natural causes at the age of 59, fulfilling her dying wish to be buried in her native country, laid to rest at South London’s Ladywell and Brockley Cemetery.
Mary Ann Bevan’s story is a testament to her unwavering determination to support her family. In a time without modern benefits, she worked tirelessly, embodying the selflessness of a mother who prioritizes her children above all. May Mary Ann rest in peace, a deserving tribute to a woman whose life exemplified sacrifice and maternal love.
A Woman Used a Tampon to Check if Her Boyfriend Is Cheating, Stirring Heated Controversy
A woman with a strong sense of curiosity has garnered significant attention on TikTok. She shared a video recounting the remarkable steps she undertook to investigate suspicions of infidelity in her beloved boyfriend. Her finding of an unfamiliar tampon in his room led to a clever solution that triggered various reactions, leaving viewers conflicted about whether to deem her a “genius or psycho.”
The beginning unfolded with a seemingly innocuous finding.
Introducing Lois, a young woman residing in the UK, whose exceptional investigative prowess has captured considerable internet attention, drawing comparisons to the renowned detective Sherlock Holmes.
Lois narrated her story, reflecting on her initial stay at her boyfriend’s university residence. It was during this visit that she came across a tampon and a mascara cleverly hidden beneath his wardrobe. The discovery unfolded as Lois playfully leaned back while seated on her boyfriend’s lap, observing these seemingly innocuous items.
In her video, Lois elaborated on the conversation she had with her boyfriend regarding the mysterious belongings. He staunchly denied any knowledge of their origin and suggested they might have belonged to the previous occupant of the room.
Expressing her unease, Lois remarked, “When you find a tampon and mascara under your boyfriend’s wardrobe, and they deny everything, you have to investigate yourself.” It was at this point that a brilliant plan began to take shape in her mind.
Lois chose a more strategic approach rather than making a scene.
In her video, Lois methodically recorded her inquiry. She narrated, “There’s a tampon and a mascara under Finn’s wardrobe, and he’s in denial that he’s had a girl here.”
“I’m not even joking it’s right there. There’s not enough dust on it to be old,” she stressed, reaching under the wardrobe to retrieve the items.
Later on, Lois proactively reached out to Tampax to ascertain the production date of the tampon. Demonstrating investigative prowess reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes, she leveraged the tampon’s serial number to glean additional details. This allowed her to reconstruct the timeline of her relationship with her significant other.
Lois got a reply from an employee named Grace, who conveyed that the tampon had been produced on December 11, 2019. Fortunately, this date occurred before the start of her relationship with her partner.
Later on, Lois proactively reached out to Tampax to ascertain the production date of the tampon. Demonstrating investigative prowess reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes, she leveraged the tampon’s serial number to glean additional details. This allowed her to reconstruct the timeline of her relationship with her significant other.
Lois got a reply from an employee named Grace, who conveyed that the tampon had been produced on December 11, 2019. Fortunately, this date occurred before the start of her relationship with her partner.
The response from internet users was notably controversial.
The video has amassed nearly 10 million views, triggering a variety of responses. Numerous viewers praised her ingenious determination in solving the mystery surrounding the tampon. One woman couldn’t help but wonder, “I’m not sure if this is genius or borderline psycho,” while another enthusiastically exclaimed, “That’s not toxic. That’s smart.”
Nevertheless, not everyone held the same sentiment. Some individuals viewed it as a “red flag” and advised her to “trust her boyfriend,” while others staunchly defended the inquisitive woman.
One user humorously pointed out, “So funny how it’s all men pointing out she’s a red flag, when women just get it,” while another chimed in, “Why is everyone taking this, so seriously it’s actually very, very funny.”
Having gained insights from the experiences of the protagonists in our previous article, it is evident that there are many ways to expose a cheating partner.
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