This story was originally published by the Ohio History Connection on Jan. 23. It is being republished here as part of a collaborative agreement.
The John and Annie Glenn Collection at the Ohio History Connection captures both the public and private sides of the Glenn family.
One of my favorite light-hearted series of items are the Valentines sent to John by Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy and mother to their 11 (yes 11!) children.
The Glenn and Kennedy families were close friends, so it’s no surprise that Ethel and John knew each other. But in the whimsical Valentines, Ethel cleverly pulls from current events and personal experiences to share a little more of the Glenn’s personal lives. And clearly they had a sense of humor.
Ethel’s 2004 Valentine references Quarterback Tom Brady. That year, he led the New England Patriots to another Super Bowl victory by overcoming a 28-3 deficit — the largest in Super Bowl history — to defeat the Carolina Panthers 32-29.
Anderson Cooper was Ethel’s hero in this 2010 Valentine. He famously rescued an injured boy and carried him to safety while reporting in Haiti following a devastating earthquake in January 2010.
Ethel’s 2012 Valentine features a photo of herself with Actor Bill Murray, Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Rice, Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Orr, Actor Alec Baldwin, and Actor Matt McCoy. The photo was taken during the 22nd Annual RFK Center Golf Tournament at the Hyannisport Golf Club on Oct. 14, 2011 in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.
Want to learn more about the John and Annie Glenn Collection? Search the Ohio History Connection catalog to see about other amazing items from the Glenn family.
Becky Preiss Odom is the History Curator/Manager of the Curatorial Department at the Ohio History Connection.
