ABSTRACT
Marriage and motherhood changed the trajectory of Barbara Egger Lennon's (Barbe’s) life. Before that shift, she had moved, somewhat steadily, toward real autonomy thanks to a combination of career, involvement in professional and community organizations, time as a student, and effective money management. From the moment she became, Barbe had been forced to negotiate the new constraints of her status as a “wife.” Legally, a married woman gave up much of her financial autonomy. Barbe had known John Brown (J. B.) Lennon his entire adult life, and Jackson had spent numerous summer days with “Aunt” Barbe, but they rarely visited after Juna Lennon’s death. Plus, Barbe’s complaints about John’s attitude toward J. B. indicate he may have been unhappy about his father’s second marriage. Barbe’s financial status after J. B.’s death was somewhat precarious, her property and reserves likely would have left her unqualified for government help even if she had applied, which no evidence indicates that she did.
