002 - Our Flat

Enid Yandell (October 6, 1870 - June 13, 1934) was a distinguished American sculptor who honed her craft under the guidance of renowned artists Auguste Rodin and Frederick William MacMonnies. Known for her portraiture, garden sculptures, and public monuments, Yandell also spent time in Paris, where she maintained a studio. In her semi-autobiographical book, *Three Girls in a Flat*, she recounts her experiences as a sculptor for the Horticultural Building at the 1893 Worlds Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Co-written with two friends, this episodic narrative follows the lives of three young women—Virginia (or Gene), Marjorie, and the Duke (a character inspired by Yandell herself)—as they navigate the challenges of living and working in a small Chicago flat. Rich with anecdotes about their workdays, social gatherings, and interactions with neighbors and suitors, the book beautifully intertwines historical insights about the Womens Building at the Exposition with the personal journeys of its protagonists. The authors humbly describe their creation as “a simple story which really wrote itself,” inviting readers to join them on a delightful journey through their lives and times. Summary by Wikipedia and Lee Ann Howlett. This episode includes AI-generated content.