Kimberly Hess

A Lesser Mortal Kimberly Hess

Sarah B. Cochran probably didn't expect to own businesses that competed with Henry Clay Frick's or to exceed Andrew Carnegie's philanthropic giving in certain circles. But when her husband and son died suddenly, she had to take over the family coal and coke business at a time when it was illegal, and some thought unlucky, for women to work in or around coal mines. Rather than retreating from the world, from her forties through her seventies she engaged with it through philanthropic activity that shifted power, championed others and influenced causes. But even today her contributions can be difficult to identify without already knowing they exist. This book is an introduction to Sarah's story for academics, genealogists, history buffs and those interested in sharing stories of other "lesser mortals" who created significant changes but remain largely unknown.