Marian Sullivan Schwarz
Marian Sullivan Schwarz
Mrs. Marian Sullivan Schwarz grew up in Lyon’s Valley with her five sisters. During that time she grew to be a strong woman full of moxey and hope.
In 1933, Marian received her first teaching job at Clements School in Portland, WI. For over 40 years she worked in the field of education in either a teacher or principal role. Her love of children and respect for the field has continued to this day.
While teaching, Marian raised four children, milked cows, took care of a home, and attended college to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Many challenges faced her along the way such as WWII, Women’s Rights, and the day-to-day doings of a mother and a wife. Through it all she remained strong and driven. That drive is evident to this day as she reaches a new milestone in her life.
No One Can Keep A Good Woman Down
Honoring Marian Sullivan Schwarz
Stay close to God
Be selective in choosing your friends
Be someone you can depend on
Be honest, a good life you’ll live
Mother taught school and so did I
Six sisters and I toiled in the field
Without a brother we grew to be strong
In these beautiful spring-fed driftless hills
Where I’m living still
Cashton Town
Cashton Town
No one can keep a good woman down
Cashton Town
In a one-room school house
Where my father like I learned to read
Christmas time everybody turned out
To hear the children sing
Teacher, nurse, a mother, a wife
That’s all a woman could be
No right to vote. No right to own.
Everything depended on the man you married
Women today have more opportunities
Cashton Town
Cashton Town
No one can keep a good woman down
Cashton Town
Got my Master’s Degree
While milking cows with four children in the barn
My husband not too thrilled with me
Yet the money I earned save the family farm
When the sparks flew we had to get out
With a teacher’s wage I paid the bills
Together we rebuilt the house
Made of oak and it’s standing still
On this organic farm in these driftless hills
Cashton Town
Cashton Town
No one can keep a good woman down
Cashton Town
From hauling water, wood and corn cobs
To the times we are living today
In a world that moves so fast
At one hundred and four years of age
Everything changes, yet still remains
Make good use of your years in school
You are building your future today
Always do the best you can do
Your future depends on you
Cashton Town
Cashton Town
No one can keep a good woman down
Cashton Town
Living on driftless ground
Cashton Town
No one can keep a good woman down
Cashton Town
Living on driftless ground
Cashton Town
No one can keep a good woman down
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Words & music by Larry Long
Copyright Larry Long 2017 / BMI
*Lyrics drawn from interview with Marion Sullivan Schwarz facilitated by her great grandson Aiden Cook, Servant Leader Tara Schmitz and Larry Long. Recorded by Rob Danielson.