Sarah Josepha Hale was an American writer and editor, best known for her poem "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Born in 1788, she became one of the first female magazine editors in the United States, working for publications like Godey's Lady's Book. Hale used her platform to advocate for women's education and the importance of Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Throughout her life, Hale wrote numerous novels, essays, and children's books, contributing significantly to American literature. She was a strong supporter of the Thanksgiving holiday, urging President Abraham Lincoln to declare it a national celebration, which he did in 1863.