How does Mrs. Sturgis support Jeannette's ambition in the novel, Bread?

Norris makes self-sacrifice Mrs. Sturgis' distinguishing trait. In the opening pages, she sells priceless heirlooms to send Jeannette to business school; at another stage, she resists all attempts on her daughters' part to send her to the dentist to attend to a severe toothache. Mrs. Sturgis would rather endure great pain than put her daughters to the slightest inconvenience. Today's readers might find Mrs. Sturgis' utter selflessness irritating. In thinking only of her daughters, she shows no consideration for her own welfare.