I used to think history was boring when I was in school. Now I enjoy learning about people from the past and was excited to combine my love of haiku and history with this year’s theme of historical Syracuse characters.

Karen DeCrow (1937 - 2014) was an attorney, activist, and feminist. She was the only woman in her class at Syracuse University's College of Law (1972) and the 4th president of the National Organization for Women (1974 - 1977).

This haiku is a toast to her accomplishments, focusing on how she pressured NASA to recruit more female astronauts and her discrimination lawsuit after being refused service at McSorley's Old Ale House, which only served men.

Thank you, Karen.

I'm honored to be part of this poster series featuring local businesses. Hercules Candy Company has been around for over a century making their delicious candy by hand.

Years ago I went on a tour of their facility. The memory of the candy being made sparked an idea to write this haiku on 'stretching'. This one word refers to both the ribbon candy being stretched and the multiple generations who have been a part of the company.